In a trip a little further north than the usual ‘Coast People’ area I recently visited the small island of Lindisfarne – or Holy Island as it is also known – it sits off the windswept Northumbrian coastline of northern England and is steeped in history dating back to the sixth century. The island which is dominated by the castle built there in 1550 measures two and a quarter miles east to west and a mile and a half from north to south. It is cut off from the mainland twice each day with the ebb and flow of the tide. The incoming north sea covering the mudflats and the main causeway that offers the only route on to the island.
Primarily a fishing community, originally for Herring but now mainly for crab and lobster and with some farming still taking place in the centre of the island tourism now brings many hundreds of visitors each month onto the small island helping to a degree with the local economy.
Further information on Lindisfarne can be seen… HERE
Lindisfarne Castle built in 1550
‘Boat Sheds’ – used for storage and made out of upturned fishing boats
Re-built National Trust ‘Boat Sheds’ sit alongside the castle
An original Boat Shed in the harbour is overlooked by the castle
St Cuthbert’s Island sits a few hundred metres off the main island– St Cuthbert was said to be the Saint of Lindisfarne
Dawn breaks over Lindisfarne Castle and harbour
A man sits on a bench as the first morning rays of sunlight start to shine over the Northumberland coast and Lindisfarne Castle
Wooden poles sunk into the mudflats mark ‘The Pilgrim’s Way’ – the original walkway over mudflats onto the island
Tourism now brings many visitors to the island and the ‘Window on Lindisfarne’ displays offer information on the island, the wildlife and heritage
Lindisfarne harbour at low tide
The small fishing community at Lindisfarne Harbour as a storm cloud threatens
Boasts sit on the mud at low tide in the harbour
An old fishing cobble sits on the grass near to the village
‘Boat Sheds’ and Lindisfarne Castle
A fisherman pulls a smaller boat ashore whilst transferring lobster pots from the main boat moored further out in the harbour
Fishermen transfer lobster pots onto a vehicle after returning from a fishing trip
‘George’ – born and bred on the island and a fisherman all his life looks out over the harbour as the dawn sun breaks over the island
A navigational beacon on the north coast of the island near to Emmanuel Headland
Wind blows over Sandham Bay on the north shore of the island
Driftwood pokes skyward from the sand in a bay on the northern side of the island
www.ianforsythphotography.co.uk
COAST PEOPLE
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