Excursions & Summer Programme

There are Saturday and evening excursions (see below), and a weekend and a week-long excursion each year - see the Week and Weekend Excursions page.

Members are welcome to bring guests along to the excursions.  For details about transport, costs, meeting times and places, booking, safety and excursion guides, see the general information page. 

Members are also welcome to attend the excursions of the Geological Society of Glasgow where spaces are available.

SATURDAY EXCURSIONS

Saturday 19th April THIRLSTANE SCORE
Leaders: Prof Euan Clarkson (University of Edinburgh)
Dr Alan Owen (Geological Society of Glasgow)
Joint excursion with the Geological Society of Glasgow
The excursion will visit a graptolite locality other than the more usually visited Dob’s Linn and Hartfell Score. Thirlestane Score is particularly interesting since standard black shales of the Lower Silurian halli zone are replaced by pinkish shales of the guerichi (Rastrites maximus) zone, indicating significant changes in oceanic circulation and diminished productivity. In the pinkish shales graptolites are found only above bentonite (volcanic) horizons, where the addition of iron and other elements promoted brief spells of plankton blooming.

From the meeting place we will walk ESE along a track to the foot of the Thirlestane Burn, and then ascend to Thirlestane Score, where the party will spend the day. Total walking distance is about 4 km, with a steep ascent of 100 m up over rough ground to Thirlstane Score, which can be taken quite slowly. Dogs may be brought on this excursion.

The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt; extra pick-up points at Comiston Road and Fairmilehead Waterworks. Travel via Peebles to Innerleithen, then by A709 to Mountbenger on St Mary’s Loch. Meet at the parking space at the lochan near Tibbie Shiel’s Inn [NT 239 205] High tea is being arranged in Moffat, returning to Edinburgh by 8.00 pm.

References
Lapworth. C. 1880. The Moffat Series. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 34, 240-346
Rigby, S. & Davies, S.J. 2000. Volcanically mediated plankton blooms in the Central Belt of the Southern Uplands during the Llandovery. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences 91, 457-470
Maps
OS 1:50 000 Sheet 79 Hawick & Eskdale
BGS 1:50 000 Sheet 16W Moffat; BGS 1:25 000 Sheet Moffatdale-(Areas of Classic BritishGeology) 1991.
BGS 1:50 000 Sheet 32E Edinburgh

Saturday 17th May ROSLIN GLEN GEODIVERSITY WALKS
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
Joint excursion with the Esk Valley Trust
The aim of the excursion is to see Upper Carboniferous sedimentary strata (Passage and Upper Limestone formations) dominated by cross bedded river-lain sandstones, and to gain an understanding of the active processes that continue to shape the incised valley and gorge of the River North Esk including active areas of landslip. From the starting point, there are two walks: in the morning, upstream to the bridge at Firth House, out and back (6 km), and in the afternoon a downstream circular to Polton Mill (6.5 km). The route is mainly on tracks and paths of very variable surfaces, sometimes rough (riverside rock) and slippery (grass and eroded muddy path). The low path at Wallace’s Cave is on an uneven narrow rock ledge at about river level. Boots advised. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion.

Travel by public transport or in private cars to the Rosslyn Chapel Car Park [NT 274 631]. The first walk will start at 9.30 am, returning to Roslin for lunch (packed lunch, or bar lunch in Roslin). The second walk will start from the Rosslyn Chapel Car Park at 2.00 pm. Finish time 5.00 pm.

References
Edinburgh & West Lothian - a landscape fashioned by geology
Lothian Geology - an Excursion Guide
Maps
OS 1:50 000 Sheet 66 Edinburgh
BGS 1:50 000 32E Edinburgh

Saturday 7th June BARROW’S ZONES, GLENESK
Leader: Ben Harte (University of Edinburgh)
The aim of the excursion is to survey the sequence of metamorphic zones in Dalradian rocks famously described by George Barrow in 1893. The excursion will commence near the junction of the Highland Border Sequence with the Dalradian, and proceed up-grade through chlorite, biotite, garnet, stauro-lite, kyanite and sillimanite zones. The first part of the excursion will be a walk along River Esk from near the Rocks of Solitude northwards, and then a climb of about 500 ft up the hillside to Craig of Weston. We then proceed higher up Glen Esk by coach. If time permits a climb (300 m) up the hillside near the foot of Glen Effock may be included for those who are interested. Total walking distance is about 5 km, largely along the valley floor, on uneven ground, and climbing about 170 m up to Craig of Weston. There may be slippery surfaces by the river-side. Boots or other stout footwear essential. Dogs may be brought provided they are kept under strict control.

The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt; extra pick-up points in Blackhall and Barnton. Travel by M90 and A90 via Forth Road Bridge, Perth, Dundee and Forfar to Brechin. Turn off the north end of the Brechin bypass onto the B966 to Edzell, and meet in the car park at the Panmure Hotelat the east end of the village. The excursion will start in Glen Esk north of the Rocks of Solitude [NO 539 730]. High tea is being arranged in Glen Esk or Edzell. Return to Edinburgh by about 8.30 pm.

References
Chapters on Glen Esk in Fife & Angus Geology
Excursion Guide to the Geology of the Aberdeen Area (Geological Society of Aberdeen – but out of print).
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheets 44 Ballater & Glen Clova & 45 Stonehaven & Banchory.
BGS 1:50 000 Sheet 66W Aboyne

Saturday 23rd August OCHIL HILLS
Leaders: Con Gillen (University of Edinburgh)
Mike Browne (British Geological Survey, Edinburgh)
The main objective of the excursion is to examine the uppermost 800 m of the Lower Devonian volcanic pile forming the western end of the Ochil Hills. The volcanic rocks, both lava flows and interbedded conglomerates, are part of the Ochil Volcanic Formation in the Arbuthnott Group. Related intrusive igneous rocks forming small sills may be examined. One of these is thought to be peperitic, showing the interaction of hot magma intruded into wet sediment. Fluvially deposited sandstones belonging to the Sheriffmuir Form-ation (Garvock Group) are well-displayed in a former building stone quarry. Nearby is one of the stratigraphically highest lava flows in the area.

Starting on the campus of Stirling University, the excursion will follow a route of approx 5 km, uphill on rough tracks (could be muddy), to the rather steep ascent of 400 m to the summit of Dumyat. The summit is exposed and rocky at the top, may be slippery, and can be cold if windy. The descent on steep grassy slopes could be slippery after rain. Boots or stout shoes are recommended. We may have time to drive to the esplanade of Stirling Castle for views of the Ochils, fault scarp, River Forth windings and Wallace Monument. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion.

The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt; extra pickup point at PC World, South Gyle. Travel by M9 to Stirling and Bridge of Allan and Stirling University. Turn off the A9 between Stirling and Bridge of Allan at the main entrance to the Stirling University campus and follow signs to park at Airthrey Castle (the admin building of Stirling University).

Reference
Loch Lomond to Stirling - a landscape fashioned by geology
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheets 57 Stirling and 58 Perth & Kinross
BGS 1:50 000 39W Stirling and 39E Alloa

Saturday 20th September PERTH AREA
Leaders: Rosalind Garton (University of St Andrews)
Mike Browne (British Geological Survey, Edinburgh)
The day will be spent looking at basic dykes of late Carboniferous age in the Perth area that are related to the Midland Valley Sill Complex. Corsiehill Quarry is cut into a quartz-dolerite dyke intruded into lavas of the Lower Devonian Ochil Volcanic Formation (Arbuthnott Garvock Group). It was known to be working by 1806 and until at least 1932. The rock was used for kerb stones and road metal. Tayside Geodiversity has just published a leaflet for this site. At Friarton Quarry we shall have a guided tour courtesy of TARMAC. Here basic andesite lavas, also of the Ochil Volcanic Formation, are cut by a 35 m wide quartz-dolerite dyke with tholeiitic margins and exceptionally good chilling features. Also exposed here is a good example of inter-lava sedimentary rocks with plant fossils. At Campsie Linn a tholeiite dyke shows good examples of right lateral displacement. Here the dyke is intruded into the Lower Devonian Cromlix Mudstone Formation (Strathmore Group). Effects of thermal metamorphism may also be seen.

The first locality will be Corsiehill quarry [NO 136 237]. Then we drive over to Friarton Quarry for a conducted tour at 12.00 noon. After lunch, a 10 km drive up the A93 takes us to Campsie Linn where we spend the afternoon, returning through Perth to pick up cars. Total walking distance is about 2 km, mostly on good paths. Hard hats and Hi-viz jackets are compulsory for the visit to Friarton working quarry. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion.

The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt; extra pick-up point at Blackhall & Barnton. Travel by Forth Road Bridge and M90 to Perth, to meet in the South Inch car park in Perth [NO 120 231] where any cars may be left for the day. Return to Edinburgh by 7.00 pm at the latest.

References
Fife & Angus Geology 3rd edn, pp 109-119
Geology of the Perth & Dundee District Memoir of the BGS
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 53 Blairgowrie
BGS 1:50 000 48W Perth

Saturday 11th October EAST LOTHIAN
Traprain Law and St Baldred’s Cradle
Leaders: Brian Upton (University of Edinburgh)
Chris Ellis (Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh)
Joint excursion with the Edinburgh Natural History Society
At St Baldred’s, Lower Carboniferous sandstones, a pyroclastic tuff-ring and a porphyritic basalt plug, with down-sag of the country rocks, are exposed along a coastal section. On Traprain Law we will look at phonolitic trachyte, joint-planes and (?) doming of country-rocks, displayed in a disused quarry.

On the coast at St Baldred’s, care must be taken on slippery rocks uncovered at low tide. The climb up Traprain Law is a steep hill slope with 120 m ascent. Hard hats and Hi-viz jackets (see p.14) are advised in the Traprain Law quarry. Dogs are allowed.

The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt; extra pick-up point at Milton Road. Travel by the A1 to Haddington, turn off on the old A1 (A199) and after East Linton turn left onto the A198. After 3 km turn right on to Limetree Walk and proceed to the car park [NT 627 809] for St Baldred’s at the end of the road. Return to Edinburgh by 6.00 pm.
References
East Lothian and the Borders - a landscape fashioned by geology
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 56
BGS 1:50 000 sheets 33W Haddington and 33E Dunbar

WEDNESDAY EVENING EXCURSIONS

Wednesday 14th May BLACKFORD HILL
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
This excursion will observe the different rock types that are found in the area, and the effects of glaciation. The route will take in the summit of Blackford Hill and Agassiz’s rock, returning via Blackford Pond. Walking distance will be about 4 km on grass and on gravel paths. Care is required when descending steep slopes. Good footwear required. Dogs may be brought on this excursion.

Meet at 7.00 pm at the Royal Observatory Car Park, Observ-atory Road. Finish about 9.00 pm.

References
Lothian Geology - an Excursion Guide
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill leaflet
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 66 Edinburgh
BGS 1:25 000 special sheet Edinburgh District

Wednesday 4th June HOLYROOD PARK
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
An introduction to the central vent of Edinburgh's volcano, discovering the vent rocks and basalt lava flows. From Dunsapie Loch, we will follow a circular route across Crow Hill to the summit of Arthur's Seat, then down to Whinny Hill. Walking distance is about 2.5 km on grass and gravel paths.

Meet at 7.00 pm at the Dunsapie Loch car park on the Queen's Drive [NT 281 730] (if coming on foot, this is about 30 min walk from Meadowbank or the Commonwealth Pool). Dogs may be brought on this excursion.

References
Discoveriug Edinburgh’s Volcano leaflet (EGS)
Maps
OS Explorer sheet 350
BGS 1:25 000 special sheet Edinburgh District

Wednesday 18th June SOUTH QUEENSFERRY
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
A multi-locality tour of the Carboniferous freshwater and marine deposits of the South Queensferry shore. This 2 km stretch of coastline has a rich variety of exposures. Notable features include: fossilised Stigmaria, a sill altered to dolerite (white trap), James Young's oil shale, an exceptionally well preserved stromatolite bed, a small scale multi-fault system and a pair of sills with large titanaugite crystals and intrusive contacts.

Meet at 7.00 pm outside the Hawes Inn, 7 Newhalls Road, South Queensferry. From here the excursion route goes east along the shore from Hawes Inn towards Hound Point. Walking distance 4 km maximum, mostly flat, easy going along the beach. Some exposed rock sections where ground is especially uneven (columnar jointed) and slippery. Finish back at the Hawes Inn at 9.00 pm. Dogs may be brought on this excursion

References
Max Wilkinson has produced a field guide to the area for Higher Geology school teachers, as part of an outreach project at Edinburgh University. Copies of the completed guide will be available at the excursion, and can be downloaded here (pdf file, 2.1MB)
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 66 Edinburgh
BGS 1:50 000 32E Edinburgh

Wednesday 25th June PETERSHILL
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
This excursion to Petershill Wildlife Reserve will examine Carboniferous limestones which are rich in fossils and lime-loving plants. The efforts of the RIGS Group and the Scottish Wildlife Trust to conserve the site will be explored.

Meet in Bathgate railway station car park at 7.00 pm, where cars can be left. We will then share cars to get to Petershill [NS 985 694] about 1 km up the hill, where there is only limited parking. There is a 1 km walk around the reserve, on rough paths and uneven ground but generally flat. Finish at 9.00 pm on the reserve. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion

References
Lothian Geology - an Excursion Guide
Petershill LABRIGS leaflet
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 65 Falkirk & Linlithgow
BGS 1:50 000 sheet 31 Falkirk

Wednesday 16th July JOPPA SHORE
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
A range of Carboniferous sedimentary rocks are well exposed along the shore, including marine sandstones, mudstones, limestones and coal, containing abundant fossil brachiopods and bivalves and occasional fish.

Meet at 7.00pm at the Pumping Station, east end of Portobello promenade [NT 318 735]. LRT bus 26. The walk of 2 km along the rocky foreshore is on potentially slippery, uneven ground. Finish at 9.00 pm. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion.

Reference
A draft RIGS leaflet for the site will be available
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 66 Edinburgh
BGS 1:50 000 sheet 32E Edinburgh

Wednesday 6th August BONALY
Leaders: RIGS Volunteer Group
The excursion aims to examine the Lower Devonian volcanics of the Pentland Hills Volcanic Formation. Rare outcrops of Early Carboniferous sedimentary rocks may also be seen. The geological foundations for the local reservoirs will be discussed. The walk goes first to the east end of Torduff Reservoir [NT 206 677] and then to Clubbiedean Reservoir, returning via Bonaly Reservoir and the track leading north past Bonaly Tower.

Total distance 5 km mainly on good tracks; some heathery moorland. Wear walking boots. Dogs may be brought provided they are kept on leads.

Meet at 7.00 pm at the roadside car park on south side of Bonaly Road bridge over the A720 Edinburgh Bypass [NT 213 679] (there is no exit/slip from Bypass onto Bonaly Road; the nearest is Redford slip). Take Lothian buses 10 to Bonaly Corner Shop or (for No. 10 buses that go direct to Torphin) bus stop at junction of Woodhall Road and Bonaly Road. Walk up Bonaly Road. Back at Bonaly Road bridge by 9.30 pm.

References
Mitchell G H, Walton, E K and Grant, D. 1960. Edinburgh Geology – an Excursion Guide. Edinburgh Geological Society (Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd).
Mitchell, G H and Mykura, W. 1962. The geology of the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, Scotland.
Sivasubrammaniam, A and Carter, V F. 1969. Investigation and treatment of leakage through Carboniferous rocks at Clubbiedean Dam, Midlothian Scottish Journal of Geology, 5, 208-223
Maps
OS 1:50 000 sheet 66 Edinburgh, Explorer sheet 350
BGS 1:50 000 sheet 65 Falkirk & Linlithgow

Members are welcome to attend excursions organised by the Geological Society of Glasgow where spaces are available.  Further details from their web site.  Members are reminded they are eligible to join the Glasgow Society as Associate Members.

For details about excursions in your own area, contact your local geological society.

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