Lothian & Borders RIGS Reports

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS RIGS GROUP 2009 - Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM

This is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society, operating within the latter’s constitution. The main object of the Group is the identification, designation and interpretation of sites as LGS, Local Geodiversity Sites. These are in the process of being altered from RIGS, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. The Group raises awareness of local LGS and Geodiversity through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and by developing access and educational usage of sites and trails.

At its November meeting the Group Committee appointed the following Officers: Chairman: Mike Browne, Secretary: David McAdam, Treasurer: Angus Macpherson (all continuing). As well as Edinburgh Geological Society members, the Committee includes representatives from Local Government, and other government and private organisations. The Committee met four times during the year.

No new RIGS have been designated during the year; the total of sites designated is 28. However, the Group obtained funding from City Of Edinburgh Council for a review of potential RIGS sites in Edinburgh. The report on 27 sites is being assessed by the newly formed Edinburgh Geodiversity Sites Working Group, and this should result in several new LGS in Edinburgh.

The Volunteer Group continued to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of the LGS work. Six informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House monthly during the Winter 2008-2009. The meetings were mainly concerned with the leaflet production, Scottish Earth Science Education Forum (SESEF) educational resources and attendance at Fairs. Evening meetings have already started for Winter 2009-2010. Thanks are due to the British Geological Survey for use of facilities for meetings.

The Group continues with a programme of poster and leaflet publication. One RIGS poster was produced for Barns Ness. No new RIGS leaflets were published; the leaflet total remains at 20. However, leaflets are in various stages of preparation for: North Berwick Volcanoes, Barns Ness, Canongate Wall and Building Stones of South Edinburgh. Grants for some of these have been obtained from Scottish Natural Heritage and SESEF. These leaflets will be distributed to Society Members.

The Group has held displays at Fairs: Darwin Day for East Lothian Council at Yellowcraig, Oor Wee Planet Festival for the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, Hailes Quarry Fair for Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, and Open Doors Day at the Scottish Mining Museum; as well as having a stand at the British Geological Survey Open Day in Murchison House. The Group also helped lead four EGS evening excursions and attended the SESEF Barns Ness Open Day.

The Group continues to manage the Petershill Reservoir Quarry RIGS and Wildlife Reserve for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The Group has also been involved in clean-ups at Petershill Quarry.

The Group continues to participate in Local Biodiversity Action Plans for several local councils. The Group was involved in a second Scottish Geodiversity Workshop held in Perth Museum on 30th May. The Workshop was well-attended by delegates from throughout Scotland and beyond.

The 12th UKRIGS Annual General Meeting was held on 31st October in University College, London. Mike Browne attended from the Group. Mike Browne, nominated by the Group, continues as Chairman. An EGM was also held, at which the name of the Association was changed to GeoConservationUK. As a consequence, other names may be changed.

Lothian and Borders RIGS Group October 2008 - Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM

This is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society, operating within the latter’s constitution. The main object of the Group is the identification, designation and interpretation of sites as (RIGS) Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. The Group raises awareness of local RIGS and Earth Heritage through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and developing access and educational usage of sites and trails.

Two new RIGS were designated during the year: Seafield (West Lothian) and Harlaw (Edinburgh), bringing the total of sites designated to 28. Several others have been proposed, and require processing.

At its September meeting, the Group Committee appointed the following Officers: Chairman: Mike Browne, Secretary: David McAdam, Treasurer: Angus Macpherson (all continuing). As well as Edinburgh Geological Society members, the Committee also includes representatives from Local Government, and other government and private organisations. The Committee met four times during the year.

The Volunteer Group continued to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of RIGS work. Eight informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House monthly during winter 2007-08. The meetings were mainly concerned with leaflet production and attendance at fairs. Evening meetings are planned during winter 2008-09. Thanks are due to the British Geological Survey for use of facilities for meetings.

The Group continues with a programme of poster and leaflet publication Three RIGS leaflets were published: Water of Leith, Joppa Shore and Craiglockhart Hill. These brought the leaflet total to 20. Grants have been obtained from Scottish Natural Heritage. These leaflets were distributed to Society Members. No new leaflets are in preparation. Water of Leith and Joppa Shore leaflets were prepared by students in an Edinburgh University outreach programme. Also in this programme was preparation of teaching material for higher grades based on South Queensferry.

The Group has held displays at Fairs: Hailes Quarry Fair for Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, National Trust for Scotland at Newhailes, Vogrie Festival, Scottish Mining Museum and Fossil day at Edinburgh Zoo; as well as having a stand at the British Geological Survey Open Day in Murchison House. The Group continues to manage the Petershill Reservoir Quarry RIGS and Wildlife Reserve for the Scotland Wildlife Trust. The Group has also been involved in clean-ups at Petershill Quarry.

The Group continues to participate in Local Biodiversity Action Plans for several local councils. The Group helped organise an inaugural Scottish Geodiversity Workshop to be held in Perth Museum on 4th October. The workshop is for delegates from throughout Scotland and beyond. The 11th UKRIGS Annual General Meeting is planned for 1st November in conjunction with the Geologists’ Association 150th Anniversary in London. Mike Browne will be attending from the Group. Mike Browne, nominated by the Group, continues as Chairman, UKRIGS.

Lothian and Borders RIGS Group October 2007 - Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM

This is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society, operating within the latter’s constitution. The main object of the Group is the identification, designation and interpretation of sites as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). The Group raises awareness of local RIGS and Earth heritage through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and developing access and educational usage of sites and trails.

One new RIGS was designated during the year: Ratho (Edinburgh). Several others have been proposed, and require processing.
At its October meeting, the Group Committee appointed the following Officers: Chairman: Mr M A E Browne, Secretary: Mr A D McAdam, Treasurer: Mr A M Macpherson (all continuing). As well as Edinburgh Geological Society members, the Committee also includes representatives from Local Government, and other government and private organisations. The Committee met four times during the year.

The Volunteer Group continued to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of RIGS work. Informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House monthly during winter 2006-07. The meetings were mainly concerned with leaflet production and attendance at fairs. Evening meetings are planned during winter 2007-08. Thanks are due to the British Geological Survey for use of facilities for meetings.

The Group continues with a programme of poster and leaflet publication. Grants have been obtained from Scottish Natural Heritage. Two RIGS leaflets were completed: Dunbar Harbour (jointly with Girlguiding East Lothian) and Stones of Scotland. New leaflets for Water of Leith and Joppa Shore, prepared by students in a University of Edinburgh outreach programme, are at an advanced stage. These and earlier leaflets are available to Society Members.

The Group has held displays at Fairs: Hailes Quarry Fair for Edinburgh Greenspace Trust, National Trust for Scotland at Newhailes, West Lothian Environment Fair at Almondell and at Scottish Mining Museum, as well as having a stand at the British Geological Survey Open Day in Murchison House.

The Group continues to manage the Petershill Reservoir Quarry RIGS and Wildlife Reserve for the Scotland Wildlife Trust. The Group has also been involved in clean-ups at Petershill Quarry and a site visit to Gullane.

The Group continues to participate in Local Biodiversity Action Plans for several local councils. The Group helped organise an inaugural Scottish Geodiversity Workshop in BGS Murchison House on 28th April. The workshop was attended by delegates from throughout Scotland and beyond
The 10th UKRIGS Annual Conference is planned for 3rd November in conjunction with the Geologists’ Association Festival of Geology in Liverpool. Mr M A E Browne will be attending from the Group. Mr M A E Browne, nominated by the Group, continues as Chairman, UKRIGS.

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS RIGS GROUP 2005 Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM

This is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society, operating within the latter’s constitution. The main object of the Group is the identification, designation and interpretation of sites as RIGS, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. The Group raises awareness of local RIGS and Earth heritage through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and by developing access and educational usage of sites and trails. No new RIGS were designated during the year, though several others have been proposed, and require processing.

At its October meeting the Group Committee appointed the following Officers: Chairman: Mike Browne, Secretary: David McAdam, Treasurer: Angus Macpherson (all continuing). As well as Edinburgh Geological Society members, the Committee includes representatives from Local Government, and other government and private organisations. The Committee met four times during the year.

The Volunteer Group continued to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of the RIGS work. Informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House monthly during the Winter 2004-2005. The meetings were mainly concerned with the leaflet production and attendance at Fairs. Evening meetings are planned during Winter 2005-2006.

The Group continues with a programme of poster and leaflet publication. Grants have been obtained from Scottish Natural Heritage. Two RIGS leaflet were completed: Belhaven Bay (jointly with Girlguiding East Lothian), and Craigleith. The Craigleith leaflet was successfully launched on site on 21st September. Work is in progress for leaflets on Traprain Law, James Hutton and Stones of Scotland.. These and earlier leaflets are available to Society Members.

The Group has held displays at Fairs: National Trust for Scotland at Newhailes, Vogrie Country Park and West Lothian Environment Fair at Almondell, and had a stand at the British Geological Survey Open Day in Murchison House. The Group was involved in a fourth Geology Action day with Girlguiding East Lothian at Traprain Law with plans for a fourth leaflet.

The Group continues to manage The Petershill Reservoir Quarry RIGS and Wildlife Reserve for the Scotland Wildlife Trust. The Group has also been involved in clean-ups at Craigleith Quarry and a site visits to Traprain Law and Upper Uphall.

The Group’s entry of the Witchcraig Geological Wall was runners-up in the ENI Geological Challenge Award 2004. The Group has been collaborating with West Lothian Council on a leaflet about where to see geology in the Bathgate Hills area. The Group continues to participate in Local Biodiversity Action Plans for several local councils.

The 8th UKRIGS Annual Conference was held in the University of Derby on 16-18 September. Mike Browne and Cliff Porteous attended from the Group. Mike Browne, nominated by the Group, has been elected Chairman, UKRIGS.

David McAdam, Secretary, 27 October 2005

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS RIGS GROUP - UPDATE OCTOBER 2004

During the past year, the Group has had stalls at fairs at Newhailes, at Vogrie Country Park, and in the West Lothian Environment Fair, and a display at the BGS Open Day on 25th September. The Group has also been involved in site visits and clean-ups to Craigleith Quarry, Ravelston Woods and Petershill Quarry. Members have been involved in a third "Geology Action Day" with East Lothian Guides at Belhaven, Dunbar.

The Group has published two coloured leaflets: North Berwick and Witchcraig Wall, as well as a reprint of Corstorphine Hill; and one b&w leaflet for East Kirkton, as well as a reprint of Petershill. These and earlier leaflets are available to Society Members. A nomination for the Witchcraig Wall has been made to the ENI Geological Challenge Award 2004.

Future plans include leaflets for Craigleith and Belhaven. A start has been made on collaboration with West Lothian Council on a leaflet about where to see geology in the Bathgate Hills area.

It is hoped to arrange a programme of informal meetings of the Volunteer Group to plan future activities and publications for Wednesdays at 7.30 pm in Murchison House starting in October. The full programme will be published in the next billet.

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS RIGS GROUP - UPDATE OCTOBER 2003

During the past year, the Group has presented displays at fairs at Hopetoun House and Vogrie Country Park, and in West Lothian Environment Fair, has been involved in a "Geology Action Day" with East Lothian Guides at North Berwick, and is putting up a display at the BGS Open Day on 27th September. Geological walks were run for the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April and the Scottish Geology Festival 2003 in September.

The Group has published coloured leaflets for Barns Ness, RIGS in Scotland, and Calton Hill, and b&w leaflets for Binny Craig. These have been distributed to Society Members with the September Billet. Future plans include leaflets for Craigleith, North Berwick and East Kirkton. The Group has been instrumental in preparing a Geological Wall at the Witchcraig Viewpoint in West Lothian, opened by the Chairman of SNH.

For this year, a programme of informal meetings of the Volunteer Group to plan future activities and publications has been arranged for Wednesdays at 7.30 pm in Murchison House on the following dates: 24th September, 5th November, 3rd December, 21st January, 18th February, 17th March, 23rd April and 21st May. If you are interested in promoting geology in the Lothians do come along to any of the meetings and see what you might contribute. The Group is looking for a new Treasurer, following the retirement of Cliff Porteous after four years. The work is mainly involved in obtaining grants towards publications.

The UKRIGS Annual Conference is to be held at Oatridge College, West Lothian, from 2-4 October. It is hoped this will promote RIGS in Scotland, and involve local geologists. Members of the Society are invited to participate.

Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM, 2001

The Lothian and Borders RIGS Group is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society. The main objects of the Group is the identification, designation and interpretation of sites as RIGS, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. The Group raises awareness of local RIGS and Earth heritage through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and by developing access and educational usage of sites and trails.

At its October meeting the Group Committee appointed of the following Officers:
Chairman: Mike Browne (continuing)
Secretary: David McAdam (continuing)
Treasurer: Cliff Porteous (continuing)

As well as Edinburgh Geological Society members, the Committee also includes representatives from Local Government, academia, and other government and private organisations. The Committee met four times during the year.

Several RIGS were looked at for possible designation and notification to local councils for listing. However no new RIGS were designated during the year. Instead, efforts have been concentrated on interpretive publications.

The Volunteer Group continued to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of the RIGS work. Nine informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House monthly during Winter 2000-2001. The meetings were mainly concerned with the Phase 1 Project. There was a lecture from Colin Macfadyen of SNH on The GCR and SSSI conservation and management.

Nine informal evening meetings are planned monthly during Winter 2001-2002, as advertised in Billet No.1.

PUBLICATIONS:

Phase 1 of the project, A welcome to Lothian RIGS sites through posters and leaflets, was completed with the publication of new RIGS posters for Hermitage of Braid, Joppa shore, Roslin Glen, and West Lothian and a new leaflet for Corstorphine Hill. These were funded by grants of £2000 by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and UKRIGS, £500 from the Curry Fund of the Geologist's Association, and c£1000 of smaller grants from local bodies specifically for Corstorphine Hill.

Phase 2 involves new RIGS posters for East Lothian, Almondell/Calder Wood and the Union Canal, and RIGS leaflets for Joppa shore, Roslin Glen, and Lothian & Borders RIGS Group. Part funding has been obtained from SNH.

A new leaflet for the Petershill Reservoir Quarry RIGS was published. It was produced from an earlier design by Tom Wilson of the Volunteer Group, and printed by West Lothian Council at their expense.

Copies the Corstorphine Hill and Petershill leaflets of were have been distributed widely. Copies of both leaflets have been distributed to Society members with the Billets, and also to all other 56 RIGS Groups. The Corstorphine Hill and Petershill leaflets were favourably reviewed in Down to Earth. The Corstorphine Hill leaflet was entered for The LASMO Geological Challenge Awards and received an honourable mention.

The Corstorphine Hill leaflet has been produced in PDF form and put on the Edinburgh Geological Society web page. This file can be downloaded as a high-quality print. This form of publication could provide a model for the future.

FINANCE:

Grants obtained have been specifically for publication costs. The RIGS Group is, however, dependent on the EGS for running expenses. £300 was budgeted at the beginning of the session for secretarial, postal and material expenses, delegate expenses, etc. An additional £100 was needed to cover the cost of putting the PDF on the web. The Treasurer is looking into other sources of funding for running expenses.

RIGS sent two delegates to the 4th UKRIGS Annual Conference at Peterborough: Mike Browne (Chairman) and Cliff Porteous (Treasurer). Mike Browne has been nominated by the Group to continue on the national committee.

RIGS promoted excursions for general public through the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April (about 200 participants), and Scottish Geology Week in September (c100). Plans are in hand for three excursions for the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April 2002.

New members were enrolled for the Society through RIGS activities. RIGS maintained one section in the Society web page. The group has fostered a new Stirling RIGS Group, which includes Society members. The group has participated in Local Biodiversity Action Plans for several local councils.

David McAdam, Secretary, 23 October 2001

Report for Edinburgh Geological Society AGM, 2000

The Lothian and Borders RIGS Group is a committee of the Edinburgh Geological Society. It operates within the Constitution of the Edinburgh Geological Society.

The main object of the Group is the identification and designation of locations as RIGS, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. Additional objectives include raising awareness of RIGS and Earth heritage through publicity such as leaflets, booklets, posters, interpretation boards and the Internet, and developing access and educational usage of sites and trails.

The RIGS Group Committee consists of three Officers:Chairman: Mike Browne, Secretary: David McAdam, Treasurer: Cliff Porteous. These appointments were confirmed at its October meeting. Some ten other members are representatives of the five local authorities and of statutory and other bodies, e.g. SNH and SLF. The Committee met four times during the year.

During the year five new RIGS were designated and notified to local councils for listing, to add to the seven existing RIGS.

CITY OF EDINBURGH: Sites were designated at Hermitage of Braid (Edinburgh Council), Corstorphine Hill (Edinburgh Council) and Joppa shore (Crown Estates). Other sites are under consideration at Calton Hill and Braid Hills. There is a leaflet available in pdf format about Corstorphine Hill which you can download from here soon.

WEST LOTHIAN: No new sites were designated. Binny Craig (Oatridge College) is under negotiation. Other sites are under consideration include oil-shale bings; and interpretation for the Union Canal. Niall Evans of the RIGS Group Committee has been appointed Warden of the Petershill Quarry RIGS (Scottish Wildlife Trust).

MIDLOTHIAN: Sites were designated at Bilston Glen (Edinburgh University) and Hewan Bank. Sites at Roslin Glen and The Howe (Pentland Hills) are under negotiation.

EAST LOTHIAN: No sites yet considered. No involvement by East Lothian Council.

BORDERS: Site was designated at Hutton’s Unconformity at Jedburgh.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer attended the 3rd National RIGS Conference at Penrith in September. The UK RIGS Association held its first AGM. Mike Browne has been nominated by the Group to continue on the national committee.

The setting-up of a Scottish RIGS Association is in abeyance.

The Group Committee set up a Volunteer Group to involve a wider membership within the Edinburgh Geological Society in the many and varied aspects of the RIGS work. Four informal evening meetings were held in Murchison House in Spring 2000; more are planned monthly during Winter 2000-2001. Several site visits during the Summer included made included Petershill Quarry, Corstorphine Hill and the Union Canal.

Two publications prepared were Laminated Posters of Lothian & Borders RIGS Group and Corstorphine Hill RIGS. The Group has just been awarded a Grant of £2000 by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and UKRIGS for the project, A welcome to Lothian RIGS sites through posters and leaflets, involving new posters for Hermitage of Braid, Joppa shore, Roslin Glen, and West Lothian and new leaflets for Corstorphine Hill.

The Group participated in the Adopt a Monument initiative by adopting Agassiz’ Rock in the Hermitage of Braid RIGS.

David McAdam, Secretary, 18 October 2000

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