National Trust for Scotland
The NTS Rockcliffe property is one of Scotland’s prettiest stretches of coastline. It was bequeathed to the National Trust for Scotland in the 1930s. It is perfect for exploring, with a network of paths giving access to most of the area, including the important Dark Age trading post of Mote of Mark and another good viewpoint at the Muckle hill. Both the Mote of Mark and the Muckle offer superb views of the Rough Firth and the wider Solway, with fabulous views of the surrounding Dumfries & Galloway countryside and across to the Lake District.
You can enjoy the variety of birds, flowers and butterflies throughout the year. Spring brings a stunning display of bluebells with warblers and other birds arriving to breed.
In summer, butterflies arrive in the meadows. As the autumn colours appear, the swallows depart and wildfowl numbers begin to build. In the cold winter months, you see large numbers of ducks and waders congregating in Rough Firth. Seals and other sea mammals are often seen around the coast through the year.
Rough Island is a 8ha (20 acres) bird sanctuary and a haven for oyster catchers and ringed plovers. The island is accessible by foot at low tide. To prevent disturbance, please do not visit the island during May and June.
Rockcliffe is a great place to walk and is ideal for families with the beach being so close by. The Jubilee Path (named to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee) is the main path between Rockcliffe and runs through old woods. It is a 3km round trip.
