Portpatrick Harbour - Half Tide Haven Traditional Cache
Headie D: Cache missing - time for a new place me thinks,
Portpatrick Harbour - Half Tide Haven
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache is a small box with room for swops and is hidden at Portpatrick Harbour and looks out onto the outer harbour bay and front promenade. Lots of muggles about so an extra challenge!
The lovely fishing village of Porptatrick in south-west Scotland is the closest crossing point to Northern Ireland. Portpatrick was, for many years, the main sea route from Scotland to Ireland and the cache is situated on a large rocky area which was incorporated into the harbour sea defences. However the stormy North Channel proved to be too much of a challenge and there is much evidence of the power of the sea in the jumble of stones and rocks which are all that remain of the outer harbour walls. As sail and paddle steamers were replaced by larger more powerful boats the ferry route moved to the sheltered waters of Loch Ryan and Porptatrick fell into decline. The harbour is still used by fishing boats and also a popular haven for yachts. Portpatrick Lifeboat is stationed in the harbour and there is a seasonal shop and display in the nearby lifeboat shed.
The cache site is on the Dorn Rock (local name) and named McCook's Craig on some maps. There are two car parks in Portpatrick on the north and south side (large car park) of the harbour. To get to the cache walk to the north side of the harbour N54 50.556 W005 07.216 and past the prominent Lifeboat Shed towards the end of the North Pier. A wide concrete causeway links the harbour to the Dorn Rock, is well above the hide tide mark and is accessible at all times of the year. However caution and common sense is advised if the weather is very stormy.
The Dorn Rock is a popular with fishermen and the high point with flag pole and anchor is easily reached.
The cache is on the north side of the rock and in view from several directions so stealth is needed!
To reach the cache there is no need for a lot of scrambling over rocks. The cache site can be found by turning left (north) at the end of the causeway and then head for a gap between two rocky outcrops (small but obvious path) which leads you to the east side of the Dorn Rock and, at low to half tide, the remains of an old mooring site known locally as the Half-Tide rock is visible to your right.
There are several shops, restaurants and bars to visit in the village.
Portpatrick also hosts the start (or end) of the Southern Upland Way long distance footpath across lowland Scotland.
If you are using British Grid Co-ordinates the approach to the cache site is very close to the 'edge' of sheets NX and NW which may be an added interest while following the GPS.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq fgbarf ng tebhaq yriry ba abegu bhgpebc arne ortvaavat bs gur tnc.
Treasures
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