Geology
Excursions
We organise excursions
from springtime to autumn:
including day, evening
and residential excursions.
Geology
The Geology Excursion Programme features a range of events, including our core programme of day excursions and local evening excursions, led by a geologist with expert knowledge of the locality.
EGS members will be disappointed that the Coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of our normal summer excursion programme. We have arranged a limited replacement programme during September and October, for our members and as our contribution to the Scottish Geology Festival.
Numbers are strictly limited and advance booking is essential. The excursions will be short (2-4 hours) and at locations where there is plenty car parking. No coach is provided and car sharing is not recommended. Some leaders will also do short online introductions before the excursion, using Zoom. You can then go and visit on your own or with friends.
Update 15th September: although the rules for social gatherings in Scotland have changed, we can still run organised outdoor activities following guidance and with appropriate procedures in place. Numbers are limited, and some excursions are now fully booked. We are organising additional online virtual excursions, and these are listed in the programme below.
Please read and take note of the Code of Conduct & Safety Guidelines, in particular the procedures in place to minimise the transmission of Coronavirus.
Replacement Excursion Programme - September / October 2020
Wednesday 16 September 2020, 2 pm
Blackford Hill, Edinburgh Leader: Richard Smith
Tuesday 22 September 2020, 6.30 pm
Online Excursion – Wardie Shore, Edinburgh Leader: Tom Challands
Wednesday 23 September 2020, 1 pm
Wardie Shore, Edinburgh Leader: Tom Challands
Sunday 26 September 2020, 10 am
Siccar Point Leader: Bob Gatliff
Tuesday 29 September 2020, 6.30 pm
Online Excursion – Dalkeith Buildings Leader: Ian Kearlsey
Wednesday 30 September 2020, 1 pm
Dalkeith Buildings Leader: Tom Challands
Saturday 3 October 2020, 10 am
Whinny Hill, Holyrood Park Leader: Angus Miller
Friday 9 October 2020, 6.30 pm
Online Excursion – Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn Leader: Ian Kearlsey
Saturday 10 October 2020, 10 am
Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn Leader: Ian Kearlsey
Sunday 18 October 2020, 10.30 am
Joppa Shore, Edinburgh Leader: Bob Gatliff
EGS Residential Excursions
Each year, the Society organises two residential excursions: a week-long excursion in May, and a weekend excursion in the autumn.
Long Excursion to the Isle of Man 13-19 May 2020 *** POSTPONED ***
There are still one or two places available on the Long Excursion to the Isle of Man, which Dr David Quirk and Dr David Burnett have kindly agreed to lead. Dates have been chosen to fit with the tides, leaving Edinburgh on Wednesday 13 May and returning on Tuesday 19 May. If you are interested, contact Anne Burgess, preferably by email to longexcursion@edinburghgeolsoc.org, or by letter to 21 Woodside Place, Fochabers IV32 7HE. All emails will be acknowledged, so if you do not get a response within a couple of days, please try again.
Weekend Excursion: Ballantrae Complex 25-27 September 2020
Leader: Prof. Alastair Robertson, University of Edinburgh
The Ballantrae ophiolite is exposed near and along the Ayrshire coast, south of Girvan. It is the best place in Scotland to gain insights into the world ocean during the early Ordovician, c. 470 million years ago. Excellent exposures include deformed remnants of oceanic lithosphere and deep-sea sedimentary rock. There are also contrasting sedimentary rocks that formed during and after the emplacement of the oceanic rocks onto continental crust to the north (the now-buried Midland valley block). Structures include evidence of thrusting, folding and (later stage) faulting. The Complex is interpreted as having formed at mid-ocean ridge, fore-arc and/or seamount settings (to be discussed in the field). After an introductory meeting on the Friday evening we will spend two full days in the field.
Most of the exposures to be visited are easily accessible along the coast. If you are interested in joining this excursion contact the Excursions Secretary Ian Kearsley, who can provide additional information.
Geological Excursions organised by other Societies in Scotland
The Geological Society of Glasgow
EGS members are welcome to attend excursions organised by the Geological Society of Glasgow where spaces are available. Further excursion details from their web site. Members are reminded they are eligible to join the Glasgow Society as Associate Members.
Planning Geological Excursions?
You may find these online tools from the British GeologIcal Survey and Ordnance Survey are useful.
The Edinburgh Geological Society
The Edinburgh Geological Society is one of the UK’s foremost geological societies, whose aim is to promote public interest in geology and the advancement of geological knowledge. We are a friendly and informal organisation with a wide range of members of varied backgrounds and interests.
Charity registered in Scotland
No. SC 008011