A tour of central Edinburgh localities that includes several stops with fossiliferous rocks used in the built-environment from Jurassic and Devonian localities. A particular highlight is the large number of fossil fish in the Caithness Flagstones outside of the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. The meeting point at Mr Wood’s Fossils will feature a short talk about the late Stan Wood and his contributions to vertebrate palaeontology.

Read the Code of Conduct and Safety Guidelines and book your place …

Excursion title:

Pavement Palaeontology

Date & time:

19/06/2019 1900

Finish time:

2100

Leaders:

Alistair J. McGowan, BioGeoD

Transport:

No transport needed

Meeting point:

Party will meet outside Mr Wood’s Fossils, 5

First locality:

Meet outside Mr Wood’s Fossils, 5 Cowgatehead, Edinburgh EH1 1JY

A number of public transport options lead to major interchanges on North Bridge.

Parking is possible at Waverley Railway Station in the car park accessed from New Street.

Excursion route:

www.plotaroute.com/route/762934

Terrain, walking distance, height gain:

Walk is entirely on paved surfaces.

Distance: 3.1 km. Total ascent 60 m.

Specific or Medium- / High-Risk Hazards:

No need for any high-risk road crossings.

Control measures required to mitigate against any Hazards referred to above:

N/A

Hard hats or Hi-viz clothing needed:

No

May dogs be brought on the excursion?

Yes

Toilet information:

Public toilets at top of Middle Meadow Walk.

Geological map sheet:

Scotland 32E Edinburgh

OS map sheet:

Landranger 66

References:

Building Stones of Edinburgh, 2nd edition (EGS).

Lothian Geology – an Excursion Guide (Edinburgh Geological Society)

Both guides are available on the BGS Earthwise site

http://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Lothian_Geology:_an_excursion_guide

http://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Building_stones_of_Edinburgh._2nd_edition.

We will pass a number of other localities that feature in Lothian and Borders GeoConservation leaflets.

https://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/publications/geoconservation-leaflets/

Site explaining the work to renovate the Scotsman Steps. Printed copies are available from the Fruitmarket Art Gallery https://www.fruitmarket.co.uk/scotsman-steps/