Point of Ayre is the northernmost point of the Isle of Man. It lies at the northern end of Ramsey Bay 10 kilometres north of the town of Ramsey. It is the closest point on the Isle of Man to the British Mainland, being 26 kilometres south of Burrow Head in Scotland. The name Ayre comes from the Norse word Eyrr meaning gravel bank. Strong currents off-shore cause an ever changing build-up of shingle which literally means the beach changes shape with each tide, i.e. twice a day.