Solway Firth Tank Tops

Lookling out over the Solway Firth after a day of stormy weather. This was captured on a summer evening between Maryport and Silloth on the north Cumbria coast. Across the water are the hills of Galloway in southern Scotland - now visible as the weather clears. Often after a day of storms, this stretch of coast seems to reward with spectacuar light as the sun finally breaks through.

The lighthouse stands just north of the Victorian seaside resort of Silloth on the north coast of Cumbria. It was established in 1864 as a warning for shipping on the Solway Firth. Originally mobile, it could be moved on a short rail track. However, in 1914 it was converted to the fixed position where it now stands. In a beautiful position, it looks over the Solway Firth to the coast, hills and mountains of Galloway in Scotland. This image was captured at sunset towards the end of June. Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

The harbour at Maryport on the north coast of Cumbria. Maryport is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth and across the water can be seen the Scottish coast, This was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is now home to fishing boats and yachts.

Following a stormy afternoon, the clouds part to give spectacular evening light over the Solway Firth. This image was captured on a June evening on the coastline between Maryport and Allonby in Cumbria. Over the water lie the coast and hills of Galloway in Scotland. Unsurprisingly this area of coastline was designated an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as early as 1964.

From my original photograph, a view of the East Cote Lighthouse or light tower at Silloth on the north Cumbrian coast in the style of an oil painting. The tower stands on the cliff top looking over the Solway Firth to the Galloway hills in Scotland. It was established in 1841 to aid the ships sailing between Annan and Port Carlisle. In the 1850s it was apparently placed on a short track in order for it to be moved as necessary. It now shines a green light over the Silloth approach channels.

The harbour entrance at Maryport on the north Cumbrian coast. The town overlooks the Solway Firth with the hills of Dumfries and Galloway in the far distance. Maryport was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is home to fishing boats and yachts. This image was captured in early morning in late June and has been made into digital art.

The East Cote light tower is situated on the clifftop at Silloth, Cumbria, overlooking the Solway Firth. Here it is seen with the last rays of the day's sun shining on it against the background of the town of Silloth. The light tower was established in 1841 to aid the ships sailing between Annan and Port Carlisle. In the 1850s it was apparently placed on a short track in order to move it to service the latest navigable channels. Currently it shines a green light over the Silloth approach channel. Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

The Skiddaw range of the Lake District's Northern Fells seen at sunset. This is the view from one of the country roads just east of Silloth on the Solway coast. Whatever the weather, spectacular sunsets always seem to appear, often at their best after stormy weather! Being a somewhat breezy area, wind turbines are becoming an extremely familiar sight across Cumbria, Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

After a rainy day the clouds are parting over the Solway Firth at Silloth, Cumbria. The East Cote Light Tower stands on the cliff top looking over to the Galloway hills in Scotland. The tower was established in 1841 to aid the ships sailing between Annan and Port Carlisle. In the 1850s it was apparently placed on a short track in order to move it to service the latest navigable channels. Currently it shines a green light over the Silloth approach channel. Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

Rockcliffe is one of a number of small seaside villages along the stretch of the north shore of the Solway Firth known as the Colvend Coast. From the bay, two islands are visible offshore. The more distant is Hestan Island, complete with its lighthouse and cottages. Closer in, a third of a mile from Rockcliffe, is Rough Island. This is accessible on foot at low tide, either via a causeway of sorts from the north, or directly across the sand from Rockcliffe. Canon 5D MKiii 24-105 L-series lens

Rockcliffe is one of a number of small seaside villages along the stretch of the north shore of the Solway Firth known as the Colvend Coast.Two islands are visible offshore. The more distant is Hestan Island, complete with its lighthouse and cottages. Closer in, a third of a mile from Rockcliffe, is Rough Island. This is accessible on foot at low tide, either via a causeway of sorts from the north, or directly across the sand from Rockcliffe. Canon 5D MKiii 24-105 L-series Lens

Rockcliffe is one of a number of small seaside villages along the stretch of the north shore of the Solway Firth known as the Colvend Coast. From the bay, two islands are visible offshore. The more distant is Hestan Island, complete with its lighthouse and cottages. Closer in, a third of a mile from Rockcliffe, is Rough Island. This is accessible on foot at low tide, either via a causeway of sorts from the north, or directly across the sand from Rockcliffe. Canon 5D MKiii 24-105 L-series lens

Early evening and the moon is rising over the town of Silloth on the north coast of Cumbria, here seen as a digital oil painting from my original photograph. Silloth began its life in the 1850s by Carlisle businessmen who needed to establish a railhead and port. The parish church, Christ Church, seen here, is built of granite shipped over from Ireland by those same businessmen. The town, on the shores of the Solway Firth, faces the Scottish coast of Galloway and is known for its fine sunsets, once captured by JMW Turner.

The harbour at Maryport on the north coast of Cumbria. Maryport is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth and across the water can be seen the Scottish coast, This was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is now home to fishing boats and yachts.

The harbour at Maryport on the north coast of Cumbria. Maryport is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth and across the water can be seen the Scottish coast, This was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is now home to fishing boats and yachts.

The Skiddaw range of the Lake District's Northern Fells seen at sunset and digitally depicted as an impressionist painting. This is the view from one of the country roads just east of Silloth on the Solway coast. Whatever the weather, spectacular sunsets always seem to appear, often at their best after stormy weather!

Southerness Lighthouse Number of views as of 19th May 2018 = 1030. Southerness Point is on the Solway Firth, 15 miles south of Dumfries. Its unusual rectangular-walled lighthouse is apparently the second oldest lighthouse in Scotland. The lighthouse was built in 1748-49 to help guide ships up the River Nith estuary to Dumfries. Date: 24th August 2008. Click here to see another Scottish lighthouse

The harbour at Maryport on the north coast of Cumbria. Maryport is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth and across the water can be seen the Scottish coast, This was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is now home to fishing boats and yachts.

The harbour at Maryport on the north coast of Cumbria. Maryport is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth and across the water can be seen the Scottish coast, This was once a thriving port centred round the coal and ship building industries. Having declined in importance since Victorian times, it is now developing as a holiday and cultural centre and the harbour is now home to fishing boats and yachts.

Blue Boat Number of views as of 7th June 2017 = 900. Pictured at Carse Sands, near Carsethorn, on the Solway Firth, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. Technically part of the Irish Sea, the Solway Firth forms part of the border between Scotland and England. If you look closely, you can just make out the mountains of the Lake District on the horizon (top right). Stake-nets for catching salmon are set out across the tidal mud-flats, so the boat could well be used in connection with salmon fishing. Date: 24th August 2008. Click here to see a Scottish wreck

Kippford is a village on the Solway Coast and lies just three miles from Dalbeattie. Kippford is an unusually narrow village on the shore of the estuary of the River Urr and is popular with yachtsmen. It is a charming waterside location and from Kippford you can take a stroll on the Jubilee footpath to the pretty village of Rockcliffe.