Excursions & Summer Programme
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Excursions & Summer Programme | | ||||||||
From April to October the Society
organises a number of excursions to sites of geological interest, where each trip is led by someone with
a special knowledge of the locality. They are both informative and enjoyable
and have proved to be a highly popular part of the Society's activities.
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. SUMMER PROGRAMME 2011
For general details, including how to book, please see the general information page. See below for more information about each excursion. Saturday Excursions Saturday 7th May ST ANDREWS: Giant footprints in the
sand! This excursion will look at sedimentary sequences in the Strathclyde Group of the Carboniferous, where the group attains its greatest thickness in Fife. Coastal and river channel sandstones are abundant, and in these occasional footprint traces are found, made by giant arthropods as they walked over soft, wet sand. Near St Andrews a very good trail has been left by a giant scorpion-like animal, Hibbertopterus. Near Boarhills we shall also see a trace of another giant arthropod, Arthropleura, and see good examples of Lepidodendron root systems in situ. Walking distance 7 km on coastal path with one steep descent to the shore, otherwise easily accessible rocky beaches. Hard hats required. Public toilets at the start and end of the excursion at Bruce Embankment. Dogs may NOT be brought on this excursion. The coach will leave Waterloo Place at 9.00 am prompt, with an extra pickup point at the bus stop near PC World at South Gyle, continuing over the Forth Road Bridge to St Andrews. Starting at Bruce Embankment car park [NO 504 171], beside the Golf Museum and Aquarium. After visiting the Hibbertopterus trackway south of St Andrews, we will drive to Boarhills and walk to the coast to view the Arthropleura trackways. Should be back in Edinburgh by 6.00 pm. References: Fife &
Angus Geology - an excursion guide (Pentland Press) Saturday 21st May TYNDRUM ** please note
this excursion is fully booked, with a waiting list ** This excursion aims to visit the Cononish Mine, the site of the most important gold deposit found in Scotland so far, and place the gold-bearing veins in the context of the surrounding geology including Beinn Odhar SSI, the Tyndrum lead vein, possibly the Coire Thon gold vein (depending on time and exertion levels), Glen Orchy breccia pipes and River vein gold and molybdenum locality. Walking short distances at the Cononish Mine, possibly underground on uneven ground. At Beinn Odhar, walking on steep slopes, uneven ground beside steep drops up to 500 m one way. Glen Orchy uneven slippery slope, up to 500 m distance. Possible Tyndrum lead mine/Halliday’s vein up to 500 m on uneven slippery ground. Scotgold have hard hats and Hi-viz vests. Dogs may NOT be brought; the mine is on a sheep farm. Toilets at start at Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum and a portaloo at the mine. A minibus will depart Edinburgh at 9.00 am. Private cars may be used if they can drive on the unmade track up to the mine. All meet at 11.00 am at the Green Welly Stop (FK20 8RY) car park, Tyndrum [NN 328 306] and return there by 5.00 pm. Minibus will return to Edinburgh about 7 pm. References: Saturday 25th June This excursion will examine the lithologies and structures developed in the Southern Highland Group at the top of the Dalradian succession and displayed in the Tay Fold nappe which is refolded into a steep attitude near the Highland Boundary Fault. Walking short distances (1 to 3 km) from car parks along paths mostly. Moderate ascent and descent at Craig a’Barns locality. Some steep slopes on uneven ground for short distances to reach rock exposures. Dogs are allowed at the Hermitage and Craig a’ Barns, but there are sheep at Little Glen Shee Farm. Toilets at Bankfoot and Dunkeld. A minibus will leave Waterloo Place, Edinburgh at 9.00 am. Private cars depending on numbers will meet at, or as near as safely possible to the first locality [NN 979 346], c. 450 m NW of Little Glen Shee Farm, then proceed via Bankfoot, The Hermitage and Dunkeld (Cally car park). Minibus will return to Edinburgh about 6.30 pm References: Rose, P T S and
Harris, A L. 2000. Evidence for the Lower Palaeozoic age of the Tay Nappe: the
timing and nature of Grampian events in the Scottish Highland sector of the Laurentian
Margin. Journal of the Geological Society, Vol. 157, 381-391. Saturday 23rd
July TANTALLON CASTLE, EAST LOTHIAN Tantallon Castle, built in the 14th century, occupies an impressive position on top of loose cliffs of green tuff, one of the many Carboniferous volcanic vents that outcrop along the coast between North Berwick and Dunbar. The castle itself is constructed mostly of local sandstone, but the façade of the gatehouse is made of local green tuff. This may have been a good choice for withstanding cannon fire, but it suffered badly from weathering over the centuries, and has recently been painstakingly restored. The section of coast around Tantallon is not often visited by geological parties, perhaps for good reason since access is difficult. However, we will be rewarded for our effort with spectacular views of the Bass Rock, the coast and the castle. There are exceptionally well exposed volcanic vents that show many interesting features, both internally and in their relationships with the surrounding Lower Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. We start at the castle and proceed down to the shore to explore the coastal section between Tantallon and Canty Bay. Walking distance is about 4 km, much of this is on rough, rocky foreshore, including clambering up and down low rock ridges, the descent to the shore may involve slippery grassy slopes. No dogs may be brought. There are toilets at Tantallon Castle. Transport will be by train and private cars. Passengers meet at Waverley Station on the 09.12 am train to North Berwick, or at North Berwick Station at 9.45 am. Drivers coming by car to North Berwick are asked to give lifts from the station to Tantallon Castle, which is the first locality, NT 592 849. There is no charge for this excursion except the Historic Scotland entry fee to the castle - £4.70 (£3.80 conc), free for members. Reference:
Lothian Geology - an excursion guide, 1986, pp. 95-97. Saturday
27th August LANGHOLM Langholm is situated on the northern edge of the Carboniferous Solway Basin and offers an opportunity to study a wide range of sedimentary environments. We shall examine the Early Carboniferous Birrenswark lavas and Border, Lyne and Yoredale group sedimentary rocks. The Canonbie sections reveal younger strata including Warwickshire Group and Coal Measures, capped unconformably by Permian red beds. Excursion route involves walking from Langholm to Skippers Bridge (River Esk) and possibly part of Whitla Hill; visits to sections in Tarras Water, Liddel Water (Penton Linns) and to Canonbie. Walking distance about 4 km mainly on riverbank paths by swift flowing rivers with deep pools. Access to riverside exposures is dependant on water levels and decisions on precise itinerary will be taken on the day. Toilets at Kilgreen car park, Langholm and at Community Centre, Canonbie. Dogs may be brought, kept on leads at all times. Meet at Waterloo Place at 9.00 am for the coach; extra pick up point is the bus stop at Cameron Toll in Old Dalkeith Road, just south of railway bridge. First locality is Kilgreen car park, Langholm [NY 363 848]. A high tea is planned at about 5 pm in the Eskbank Hotel Langholm. Estimated time back in Edinburgh is 8.00 pm. References:
Jones, N S, Holliday, D W, and McKervey, J A. 2011. Warwickshire Group (Pennsylvanian)
red-beds of the Canonbie Coalfield, England-Scotland border, and their regional
palaeogeographical implications. Geological Magazine, Vol. 148, 50-77. Maps: OS 1:50 000 79. BGS 1:50 000 Langholm (S11) Saturday
3rd September STRATHBLANE This joint excursion with the Geological Society of Glasgow is designed to show the relationship between the Lower Carboniferous geology and present scenery in the Strathblane area, north of Glasgow. This includes the influence of glacial activity and major structures, especially the Campsie Fault. The stratigraphical setting and the lithologies of the Clyde Plateau Lava Formation will be examined and the relationship between vents and lava flows within the formation. The draft itinerary involves walking from the Dumgoyach Volcanic Vent south-eastwards through a variety of basaltic compositions containing combinations of the minerals olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar. The relationships of basaltic blocks and glacial erratic will be examined. We may visit the overlying outcrops exposing the Douglas Muir Quartz Conglomerate Member of the Kirkwood Formation. At the Spout of Ballagan, the base of the Clyde Volcanic Formation is exposed and we may investigate the underlying Clyde Sandstone and Ballagan formations. The final locality is intended to be the Dunglass Vent. The walking, about 5 km, is largely on footpaths, including part of the West Highland Way. In places we will be crossing rough ground, some steep slopes, streams and styles. Part of the walk is along narrow busy roads when Hi-viz vests should be worn. Meet at Waterloo Place at 9.00 am for the coach; extra stop at PC World at South Gyle and on to Strathblane via M8. Meeting the GSOG at Dumgoyach Bridge, where the West Highland Way crosses the Blane Water [NS 531 815]. High tea is planned at The Beech Tree Inn after the walk. Estimated return to Edinburgh c. 8.00 pm. References: Whyte, F and
MacDonald, J G. 1974. Lower Carboniferous vulcanicity in the northern part of
the Clyde Plateau. Scottish Journal of Geology, Vol. 10, 187-198. Wednesday Evening Excursions Wednesday
4th May REDHALL The
aim of this excursion is to examine the Carboniferous sedimentary rocks exposed
alongside the Water of Leith near Redhall in the steep valley cut by glacial meltwaters.
These rocks underlie the Hailes Sandstone which was quarried at the nearby Redhall
Old and New Quarries. There are good exposures of oil-shale and mudstone lying
below the Hailes Sandstone, as well as a conglomerate. The latter was quarried
in the 18th century for millstones and we will visit the recently rediscovered
quarry. We will also see how sandstone from the former Redhall Castle has been
reused in building on the Redhall House Estate. Walking distance is about 2 km
mainly on paths with some rough ground leading to the main exposures and a short
steep ascent to the former quarry. Meet at 7 pm at the junction of Redhall Bank Road and Lanark road (A70), NT 216 704. Cars may be parked there. The meeting point is also on LCT bus route 44, etc. Return to start about 9 pm. References: Building Stones of Edinburgh, 2nd edition
(EGS)
This excursion will examine the scenery and geology of the Pentland Hills south of Balerno, walking up from the peat moss in the low ground up to Silurian sandstones and siltstones deformed during the Caledonian mountain-building and now exposed in two inliers separated by Devonian intrusive, volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Walking distance is about 6 km ascending about 150 m in the Pentland Hills, mainly on paths, but some rough ground. Dogs must be kept on leads in open sheep grazing. There are no public toilets. Meet at 7.00 pm in the Pentland Hills Car Park at Threipmuir, south of Balerno, NT 1665 6380. Return to car park about 9.30 pm. References: Lothian Geology - an Excursion Guide (EGS)
The excursion aims to see the Corstorphine Hill Geodiversity Site including the Corstorphine Hill Sill, the underlying Carboniferous sedimentary rocks and glacial features on the hill. There are spectacular views from the top of Clermiston Tower. Walking distance about 1.5 km on paths and rocky surfaces, generally easy. Optional climb of 100+ steps in Clermiston Tower. Dogs may be brought on this excursion. Meet at 7 pm in the Car park on Clermiston Road North NT 203 747. Use cars or the bus on the LRT No 26 bus route. Finish about 9 pm. References: Corstorphine
Hill RIGS leaflet Wednesday
15th June HOLYROOD PARK-ST LEONARDS SILL This excursion will visit key localities associated with James Hutton, father of geology, and explore the minor intrusion of the St Leonard’s Sill which outcrops to the west of Salisbury Crags. Walking distance 3 km, mostly on pavements and footpaths with one ascent up a gentle grassy slope. Dogs may be brought on this excursion. There are no toilets available. Meet at 7 pm outside the St John’s Hill multi-storey car park at the junction of the Holyrood Road and Viewcraig Gardens NT 263 735. Walking to the James Hutton Memorial Garden, then enter Holyrood Park and walk through the west side of the park, exploring the St Leonard’s Sill, Samson’ Ribs and Hutton’s Section before returning to the start for about 9.00 pm. Reference: EGS
leaflet, Discovering Edinburgh’s Volcano. The
excursion aims to examine the sedimentary rocks along the shore in the Wardie
area of northern Edinburgh, famous for their Lower Carboniferous fossils which
represent both non-marine to marine environments in what is now classified as
part of the Gullane Formation. Be prepared to walk along the shore, possibly slippery and rocky. Meet at 7 pm on the Lower Granton Road across the road from the Wardie Bay Garage NT 245 770. Parking along the Lower Granton Road or travel on the No 16 LRT bus. The cycle route along the esplanade comes out here. Reference: Lothian Geology - an excursion guide. 1986. pp.76-80. Maps: OS 1:50 000 Sheet 66; BGS 1:50 000 Sheet 32E Edinburgh
This is a chance to examine the stone used in original and modern buildings in Edinburgh New Town and see how sources of stone supply have changed over the years. Issues of conservation and repair will be considered. Walking distance is up to 2 km, walking on pavements and we will be crossing busy roads so Hi-Viz jackets are desirable. No dogs to be brought. The nearest public toilets are in Waverley Station. Meet at 7 pm outside Harvey Nichols Store, 32-34 St Andrews Square, NT 256 741. The route is via South St David Street, East Princes Street Gardens, Hanover Street and George Street. Finish about 9 pm. References:
Lothian and Borders RIGS Geological Walk Leaflet Calton Hill & Edinburgh’s
East End. Geological Society of Glasgow ExcursionsMembers 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. >> top of page | ||
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