Turf Zone – SiccarPoint
The creation of a new zone is always an exciting moment, especially a zone that you requested yourself, though I cannot be sure how many others did the same. And zone SiccarPoint is no exception. However, anyone rushing out to Siccar Point may find themselves uttering words along the lines of “I’m not bloody well going down there!” or “You cannot be serious!” or “FFS!” You get the idea?
Zone SiccarPoint is located on the rocky shore a couple of miles east of Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders. It’s a site of special geological significance as the rock formations here, also known as Hutton’s Unconformity, helped geologist James Hutton develop the concept of “deep time”, that the earth was many millions of years old and not as stated in the bible, as having been created in a few days. There is now an information trail to Siccar Point called the Deep Time Trail with notice boards explaining Hutton’s concept.
So, turfing here is not for the faint hearted as the zone is located around 50m below the top of the cliffs. But for those turfers up for a wee challenge, you can take climb down to the zone albeit with considerable care. First of all, do not try to descend when the ground is wet, it’s just too slippery for either of the two routes. And it’s equally difficult to climb back out again. A case of once step forwards and two steps slipping back down again.
One route follows the line of the steep fence where an unofficial and rather dubious rope has been attached to assist. Steps have also formed in the grassy bank but unless the weather is dry, only adds the hazard of descending this way. Stout walking boots with a good grippy soles are recommended. The fence itself makes for good hand-holds. The alternative route follows a narrow path, little more than a game trail, down the grassy bank to the left of the information board. There is a distinct feeling of exposure on this route with the cliff dropping off sharply. However, taking your time and care with footsteps should see you safely down to the zone.
I’m been here any times and have lived to tell the tale, I even hauled my fat bike down to the rocks and back again, back in my younger days. However, if you are not sure or confident about descending, and the climb back up again, do not try. It’s just another zone and no point getting into difficulties.
Anyway, enough warnings back to the zone. Half expected mobile phone signal issues here but no problem taking the zones – I’m with Giff Gaff which uses O2. My only gripe here is that there’s only one zone for all your effort, though it’s a fine location for a picnic, the views out to see are splendid and there’s also a cave you can scramble down to and explore.
I once found a large block of a strange substance in a cave, not sure which one, about the size of a football. It was a waxy white/grey colour and I had no idea what it was until years later when I discovered it might have been ambergris, in other words whale vomit, possibly worth £10,000 or even more per Kg depending on quality. It’s highly valued for use in the perfume industry. Wish I knew that when I found it! More soon.
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