Scrabo

Scrabo Country Park
Scrabo Country Park is centred upon the tower built on the summit of Scrabo Hill. Overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, it includes the woodlands of Killynether and the disused quarries where Scrabo stone was once quarried - its name may be derived from the old Irish word "Scrabac", literally meaning "Scraggy Hill". The hill itself dominates the surrounding landscape. At the time during which the Giant's Causeway was being formed, a layer of volcanic lava penetrated and covered the underlying sandstone before becoming solidified. This hard rock protected the softer sandstone when, much later during the ice age, the surrounding land was eroded away. Scrabo Hill was thus left as high ground.

The prominence of Scrabo in the landscape and the protection provided by its natural features led to its early use. The remains of hut circles and a great hill fort, 33 feet by 200 feet, together with fragments of pottery, flint arrow heads and stone axe heads, are evidence of early man's life on the hill from about 5000 years ago during the Stone Age to the late pre-Christian era. Indirectly, the Tower owes its origins to the famine. It was erected as a memorial to Charles William Stewart, 3rd Marquis of Londonderry, in recognition of his concern for the plight of his tenants during that dreadful period. The superb viewpoint on the top has been preserved and space created for a display to tell visitors the story of Scrabo Hill and the surrounding countryside.

The first evidence of he use of Scrabo stone for building is in the monastery at Greyabbey and in the Priory at Newtownards. For almost a thousand years thereafter, the stone was exploited on a small scale in the local area. In 1826, a local man, Robert Corry, set out to make Scrabo stone the most readily available material in the land. Tramways were later developed for connecting the quarries to the main railway line at Newtownards. Scrabo stone was shipped as far afield as Dublin and New York. It forms the walls of some of our best known and most attractive buildings such as the Albert Clock in Belfast and Newtownards Town Hall.

The Hill's geology is just one of the points of interest. The quarries are surrounded by disturbed ground which nature is colonising with thorns and scrub. This contrasts with the fine beech woodlands at Killynether and the Hazel wood beyond on the flank of the Hill. In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells. A walk through the hazel wood will reveal other wild flowers which include Potentilla, Sanicle, Woodsage, Sheep Sorrel, Greater Stitchwort and Goldilocks. A wide range of bird life can be observed in the Park. Jackdaws nest in the quarry, together with kestrels and ravens. Other birds include dunnock, stonechat, white throat, chiff-chaff, spotted fly-catcher, linnet and red poll.

Visitors to the Country Park should remember the Park Code:-
Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
Take all litter home or use the bins provided.
Ensure all dogs are kept under control and not allowed to foul paths and mown grass.
Guard against all risk of fire.
Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
Make no unnecessary noise.
Cycling, mountain biking or the exercising of horses is not permitted in the Park.

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