Cove Haebour Circuit.
Start. Cove.
Route. Cove - Cove Harbour - Cove - Heathery Heugh - Hawk's Heugh - Ewe Lairs - Pease Bay - Old Linhead - Cove Farm - Cove.
Notes. For a short time one of the most important herring ports on the east coast of Scotland, those days have long gone as have the herring, a couple of creel boats call this delightful haven home today. There has probably been a harbour here since prehistoric times, a tunnel carved from the rock in the 1750s allows access to the shore, said to have been used by smugglers, side chambers were certainly used to store fish. The harbour pier and break water were constructed in the 1800s, the man with the tattooed head told me this, a font of local information and a delight to talk to. Now in private hands this lovely harbour is slowly being restored, one of the most uplifting places I have ever visited.
After parking in the cliff top car park at Cove we descended to the harbour, most harbour's are smelly places at low water, not Cove, it was love at first sight. As the tide was out we were able to descend a flight of stone steps before wandering across the beach, once on the other side we joined the path leading through the tunnel honed from the sandstone cliffs. Once back in Cove cliff top paths guided us south, above Cove Harbour and the golden sands of Pease Bay we rambled, a wooden foot bridge guided us over the Pease Burn before we stepped into a tarmac lane at Old Linhead. North we wandered, tarmac under foot, passed Linhead Farm then on to a row of cottages, ignoring the finger-post on the left we followed the path to the right, across the rough access lane to Cove Farm then onto field paths heading back to the coast, once back on cliff top paths we turned north to start the short stroll back into Cove.
We start today on a sombre note, a barometer found in the car park at Cove, I believe it was installed to commemorate the 1881 fishing disaster. October 8th 1881 saw a violent storm backed by hurricane force winds sweep in off the North Sea, the fishing fleets of the Berwickshire and Lothian ports were caught at sea, a 189 souls were lost, 128 from Eyemouth alone, most within sight of their families on shore.
Looking to Reed Point from the track to Cove.
Cove Harbour.
A couple of Creel boats call this lovely anchorage home..
Sandstone cliffs, caves and a tunnel all act as a backdrop to this delightful harbour.
Looking west to Siccar Point from the breakwater..
Rock architecture carved by the action of the sea, we'll be looking down on them shortly, our route follows the cliff top path.
Cottages at Cove Harbour.
The scene over this sheltered port..
We exit via this tunnel, honed by hand from the sandstone bedrock in the 1700s, used by smugglers and fishermen, and now the few tourists who are lucky enough to find the place.
Cove Farm as seen from above the harbour.
Looking down on Cove Harbour, close your left eye pretend you can't see the Torness Power Station top left.
Viewing the harbour at Cove and the rock stack known as Hollow Rock.
The golden sands of Pease Bay.
It may not melt into the landscape very well but I'm in favour of nuclear power, and it does employ over 550 full time staff.
Red Rock over Pease Sands.
In a rather sad state Old Linhead.
Striding out through crop fields en route back to the coast, with this view for company.