The area includes several different landscapes, as identified by
Scottish Natural Heritage when undertaking a review of the "special qualities" of the area in 2010: There is a small 6th-century trading post known as the
Mote of Mark, which stands on a rocky outcrop, and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The site was excavated in 1913, and two drystone huts were found, along with over 100 flints, which may be
prehistoric in origin. Additionally, a small piece of
Samian ware and a piece of a
mortarium were uncovered, along with fragments of clay moulds from the
early Christian period, and pieces of 9th-century glass likely to have come from the
Mediterranean region. Another historic site within the East Stewartry Coast is
Orchardton Tower, a ruined
tower house built in the fifteenth century. It is located 6 km south of
Dalbeattie, and 2 km south of
Palnackie. It is remarkable as the only cylindrical tower house in Scotland, being built around 200 years after such towers had gone out of fashion. Orchardton Tower is in the care of
Historic Environment Scotland as a
Scheduled Ancient Monument. ==East Stewartry Coast National Scenic Area==