Mote of Mark Circular - Rockliffe Short Walk
(Allow 30 to 40 Minutes - with ice cream stop)
Start at Rockcliffe car park
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| Road winding down to bay - Rockcliffe |
From the car-park (free parking) turn left and walk downhill towards the beach and around the pretty bay to a small area of 20min parking and public toilets. Turn right up a small path to left of toilets to first metal kissing gate after gate turn left and then right through another kissing gate in to Rockcliffe Meadow.
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National Trust Scotland Rockcliffe
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When path opens out at corner of meadow take worn path straight ( as gravel path turns left) on so you are crossing meadow and head towards wooden footbridge across burn.
The meadows are managed by the SNT and support a rich diversity of grasses and wildflowers. These support many mammals, birds and invertebrates.
Cross bridge and follow path round to right to information board about the history of the Mote of Mark. The Mote of Mark is now in front of you.Continue up meadow to wooden gate.
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Mote of Mark
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The Mote of Mark was once a defended hilltop overlooking the Urr estuary. It was the
court or citadel of a powerful Dark Age chieftain, possibly one of the princes
of Rheged. Archaelogical excavations show the site was occupied during the 5th and 6th century and appears to have been
destroyed by fire in the 7th century it is thought by the Northumbrian Angles.
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| Woodpecker Trail Rockcliffe |
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NTS Dark Age Fort
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Through gate and after a few feet the path splits take the path to the left up to the top of the Mote. A bit of a climb with steps but well worth the view.
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| View from Mote of Mark looking SE towards Castle Point Rough Island closest to the shore is a 8ha bird sanctuary which is accessible at low tide by foot via a causeway. ( always refer to a local tide table before walking to the island ) The island is a bird sanctuary with nesting oystercatchers and ringed plovers and access is restricted during May and June to avoid disturbance. |
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Rough Island and Causeway
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Retrace your steps back down the hill and at bottom where path meets up with Woodpecker Trail turn left for a short while and then right through first wooden gate.
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Woodpecker Trail Rockcliffe
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Follow Trail past Hawthorn Trees and through another wooden gate past carved Woodpecker to a point where five paths meet.
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| Carved Woodpecker on trail |
Turn right down lane past the Barons Craig Hotel and at entrance to hotel turn right through gate next to cattle grid and back across meadow towards the two kissing gates and back to beach.
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| Path past Barons Craig Hotel |
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| Low Tide - Hestan Island from Rockcliffe Bay |
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| Ice Cream Stop |
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| Coffee and cakes at the take away Garden Tea Room Rockcliffe |
Gar.den Tea room is close to car park andopen most days during the school holidays and sells a selection of antiques and paintings. Tea, coffee and cakes to take away or enjoy in the garden
All images copyright L Birdsall.
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