SWT Southwick Coast Reserve, Sandyhills
Southwick Coast is a fascinating stretch of coastline with wooded cliffs (over 40m high) and extensive saltmarsh. Look out for the orchids and butterflies in summer, and in winter witness large numbers of greylag, pink-footed and barnacle geese.
Best In
- May to Jul for rare plants
- Oct to Mar for wildfowl
- Apr to Sep for butterflies
Location
The Southwick Coast Reserve is on the B710 between – respectively - Kirkbean, south of Dumfries, and Sandyhills, south of Dalbeattie.
OS grid ref: NX910558
Postcode: DG2 8AS
OS landranger Map 84
How To Get There
By Car: The reserve lies to the south of the A710 Solway Coast scenic route roughly 2 miles west of the RSPB’s Mersehead Reserve and a mile east of Sandyhills Bay, opposite the junction for Southwick Graveyard / Clifton Farm. There are laybys along the A710 and space for one car by the minor road junction to Clifton Farm, opposite the reserve entrance.
By Bus: Service 372/372a runs between Dumfries and Dalbeattie along the coast road.
On foot/by bike: the site is a mile along a busy road (at least in Summer) from Sandyhills and about the same distance from the local hamlet of Caulkerbush. The site is not connected to nearby Mersehead and mudflats make walking along the coast from Sandyhills a dubious proposition.
A Note on Access
A short section of path with viewpoints and benches is maintained in the meadow at the top of the cliff. There is also a path down to the merse through the Needle's Eye, a natural wave-cut arch. Beware of steep cliffs, soft ground and hidden water channels on the merse. Cattle may also be grazing here during the summer.
Facilities
Seating and interpretation at the top of the garden, overlooking the reserve & the local coast
Contact
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Galloway Centre Secretary: Graham Smith
Tel: 01644 420 881
Email: grahamsmith3@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
