Geological excursion guide to the North-west Highlands of Scotland
Goodenough, Kathryn M. and Krabbendam, Maartin (Editors) A geological excursion guide to the North-west Highlands of Scotland. Edinburgh : Edinburgh Geological Society in association with NMS Enterprises Limited, 2011.
Contents
Contributors
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Editorial introduction
Background information
Topographic maps
Geological maps
Background reading
Geological framework of the North-west Highlands
(1). The Foreland
Lewisian Gneiss Complex
Stoer Group
Torridon Group
The Cambro-Ordovician succession
(3) The Moine Thrust Zone
Excursion 1 Loch Assynt and the Achmore Duplex
Excursion 1A: The foreland succession of the Loch Assynt roadside
Locality 1.1 Lewisian outcrops, Loch Assynt. [NC 2125 2507]
Locality 1.2 Basal unconformity of the Torridon Group. [NC 2134 2516]
Locality 1.3 Relief on the basal Torridon Group unconformity. [NC 2175 2503]
Locality 1.4 Base of the Applecross Formation. [NC 2194 2497]
Locality 1.5 Glacial striae. [NC 2225 2489]
Locality 1.6 Typical outcrops of Applecross Formation. [NC 2248 2479]
Locality 1.7 The basal Cambrian unconformity. [NC 2273 2470]
Locality 1.8 The base of the Eriboll Formation. [NC 2291 2472]
Locality 1.9 Typical outcrops of the Basal Quartzite Member. [NC 2308 2453]
Locality 1.10 Classic outcrops of the Pipe Rock Member. [NC 2349 2440]
Locality 1.11 Outcrops of the Fucoid Beds Member. [NC 2359 2423]
Locality 1.12 [NC 2372 2408] Outcrops of the Salterella Grit Member and Ghrudaidh Formation.
Locality 1.13 Vogesite sills and Sole Thrust. [NC 2382 2403]
Excursion 1B: The stratigraphy and structure of the Achmore Duplex and adjacent foreland
Locality 1.14 Imbricates in the stream section west of Achmore Farm. [NC 2366 2509 to NC 2369 2528]
Locality 1.15 [NC 2381 2558]
Locality 1.16 [NC 2363 2570]
Locality 1.17 [NC 2310 2540]
Excursion 2 A Transect through the Canisp Shear Zone, Achmelvich
Locality 2.1 Surface expression of Lewisian basement fabrics – viewpoint looking inland towards Canisp. [NC 0753 2554]
Locality 2.2 Badcallian gneiss on Achmelvich beach. [NC 0565 2503]
Locality 2.3 Little-deformed Scourie Dyke and localised Laxfordian dextral shear. [NC 0570 2512]
Locality 2.4 Inverian deformation on north beach. [NC 0591 2525]
Locality 2.5 Faulted margin of the Laxfordian Canisp Shear Zone. [NC 0575 2551]
Locality 2.6 Ductile and brittle Laxfordian shear fabrics indicating multiple deformation events. [NC 0575 2556]
Locality 2.7 Unfaulted margin of the Laxfordian Canisp Shear Zone. [NC 0533 2574]
Locality 2.8 Refolded folds, sheath folds and reworked Scourie Dykes. [NC 0508 2611]
Excursion 3 Stoer Group at Stoer Peninsula
Locality 3.1 Bay of Clachtoll: Stoer Group – Lewisian Gneiss Complex unconformity (low tide only). [NC 0404 2702]
Locality 3.2A Stoer Group – Lewisian Gneiss Complex unconformity. [NC 0412 2672]
Locality 3.2B Basal Stoer Group breccio-conglomerate. [NC 0412 2666]
Locality 3.3 A’ Chlach Thuill (‘Split Rock’). [NC 0384 2673]
Locality 3.4 Bay of Clachtoll beach: Clachtoll Formation. [NC 0405 2715]
Locality 3.5 Aird na Mòine: Bay of Stoer Formation. [NC 0361 2726]
Locality 3.6 Sgèir na Tràghad: Bay of Stoer Formation. [NC 0358 2751]
Locality 3.7 Bay of Stoer: Clachtoll – Bay of Stoer formation boundary. [NC 0379 2834]
Locality 3.8 [NC 0355 2853]
Locality 3.9 Stac Fada: Stac Fada Member. [NC 0333 2854]
Locality 3.10 Stoer cemetery: basal Stoer Group conglomerate. [NC 0411 2842]
Locality 3.11 Culkein – Port Feadaig: Stoer Group /Torridon Group unconformity. [NC 042 329]
Excursion 4 Stoer Group at Enard Bay
Locality 4.1 Achnahaird Bay: Meall Dearg Formation. [NC 0221 1312]
Locality 4.2 Achnahaird Bay: Meall Dearg Formation. [NC 0215 1335] to [NC 0217 1400]
Locality 4.3 [NC 0222 1419]
Locality 4.4 Camas a’ Bhothain: Meall Dearg Formation – Poll a’ Mhuilt Member boundary. [NC 0271 1464]
Locality 4.5 ‘Salmon Bothy’ Bay, west side: ‘drop stones’ in the Clachtoll Formation. [NC 0278 1463]
Locality 4.6 ‘Salmon Bothy’ Bay, east side: basal conglomerate and algal limestone, Poll a’ Mhuilt Member. [NC 0286 1462]
Locality 4.7 Camas a’ Bhothain: Diabaig Formation. [NC 030 146]
Locality 4.8 Camas a’ Bhothain: Poll a’ Mhuilt Member. [NC 0301 1456]
Locality 4.9 Camas a’ Bhothain: Stac Fada Member. [NC 0308 1456]
Locality 4.10 Rubh’ a’ Choin: Torridon Group. [NC 0331 1469] to [NC 0339 1462]
Locality 4.11 Headland of Creag a’ Choin Mhóir: conglomerate of the Stoer and Torridon groups. [NC 0360 1467]
Locality 4.12 Rubha Dunain, Achiltibuie: unconformity between the Torridon and Stoer groups. [NC 0242 0678]
Locality 4.13 Reiff: Applecross Formation. [NB 962 147]
Excursion 5 Ullapool River, Creag nam Broc and Glen Achall
Locality 5.1 Torr an Eas quarries. [NH 1490 9535]
Locality 5.2 Lithologies in the Ullapool Thrust Sheet. [NH 1550 9560]
Locality 5.3 Ullapool gneiss in the Eas Dubh Waterfall. [NH 1510 9550]
Locality 5.4 Creag nam Broc. [NH 1480 9580]
Locality 5.5 The Moine Thrust at Meall Mòr. [NH 1430 9470]
Excursion 6 Knockan Crag and the Knockan Klippen
Excursion 6a: Knockan Crag
Locality 6.1 Knockan Crag visitor centre and Moine Thrust trail. [NC 188 092]
Locality 6.2 Viewpoint at top of Knockan Crag. [NC 194 094]
Locality 6.3 Eagle Rock. [NC 188 086]
Excursion 6b: The klippen at Knockan
Locality 6.4 Cnoc a’Choilich Mhor Klippe. [NC 2056 0962]
Locality 6.5 Moine Thrust exposures. [NC 200 093 to NC 204 094]
Locality 6.6 Uamh an Tartair Klippe. [NC 213 092 to 217 092]
Excursion 7 Traligill and Bealach Traligill
Locality 7.1 Durness Group dolostone outcrops. [NC 2561 2189 to NC 2671 2140]
Locality 7.2 View of the Traligill Thrust. [NC 2693 2112]
Locality 7.3 Lower Traligill Cave. [NC 2706 2089]
Locality 7.4 Cnoc nan Uamh Klippe. [NC 2765 2047 to NC 2767 2046]
Locality 7.5 The summit of Cnoc nan Uamh. [NC 2778 2048]
Locality 7.6 Pipe Rock Member in the Breabag Dome. [NC 2895 1995]
Locality 7.7 Outcrops on the north-east side of the Bealach Traligill Fault. [NC 2992 1937]
Locality 7.8 Bealach Traligill. [NC 3018 1921]
Locality 7.9 Breabag Tarsuinn. [NC 3020 1904]
Excursion 8 Conival and Ben More Assynt
Locality 8.1 Traligill River. [NC 2734 2093]
Locality 8.2 Traligill River. [NC 2794 2064] to [NC 2800 2061]
Locality 8.3 Traligill River. [NC 2867 2039]
Locality 8.4 Path west of Allt a’Choinne Mhill. [NC 2894 2049]
Locality 8.5 Path west of Allt a’Choinne Mhill. [NC 293 206] to [NC 299 212]
Locality 8.6 Pipe Rock steps and the upper corrie. [NC 297 208 to NC 300 210]
Locality 8.7 Conival–Beinn an Fhurain col. [NC 3005 2080]
Locality 8.8 Coire a’ Mhadaidh. [NC 302 210] to [NC 306 205]
Locality 8.9 Ben More Assynt–Conival col. [NC 308 202]
Locality 8.10 Ben More Assynt summit. [NC 318 203]
Locality 8.11 Conival. [NC 304 199]
Excursion 9 Glen Oykel and the Loch Ailsh Pluton
Locality 9.1 Track to Ben More Lodge.
Locality 9.2 Loch Ailsh syenites in the River Oykel. [NC 326 127]
Locality 9.3 Syenite outcrops at stream confluence. [NC 328 129]
Locality 9.4 Allt Sail an Ruathair. [NC 332 134]
Locality 9.5 Metamorphic Burn. [NC 334 154]
Locality 9.6 Sgonnan Mòr Syncline and basal Torridon Group. [NC318 158]
Locality 9.7 Peralkaline rhyolite dykes. [NC 327 136]
Excursion 10 Cam Loch, Ledmore and the Loch Borralan Pluton
Locality 10.1 Cam Loch Klippe. [NC 230 121] to [NC 224 140]
Locality 10.2 Loch Borralan syenites at Ledmore. [NC 247 120]
Locality 10.3 Ledmore Marble Quarry. [NC 252 137]
Locality 10.4 Bad na h’Achlaise. [NC 245 115]
Locality 10.5 The Loch Urigill carbonatite. [NC 247 104]
Locality 10.6 Allt a’Mhuillin Quarry. [NC 287 096]
Excursion 11 Glencoul
Locality 11.1 Glencoul Thrust Plane at Tom na Toine. [NC 2570 3000 to 2600 3010]
Locality 11.2 Imbricates below the Stack of Glencoul. [NC 283 288 to 288 289]
Locality 11.3 Stack of Glencoul. [NC 2888 2876]
Excursion 12 Scourie Mòr
Locality 12.1 Scourie Graveyard. [NC 148 448]
Locality 12.2 Scourie Mòr [NC 144 446] to Geodh’ Eanruig. [NC 143 443]
Locality 12.3 First Inlet. [NC 152 453]
Locality 12.4 Poll Eòrna. [NC 150 456]
Locality 12.5 Sìthean Mòr. [NC 150 461]
Excursion 13 Tarbet
Locality 13.1 North side of Port of Tarbet. [NC 1615 4902]
Locality 13.2 Cnoc Gorm. [NC 1675 4985]
Locality 13.3 Rubha Ruadh. [NC 1650 5115]
Excursion 14
Excursion 14A: Balnakeil Bay and Faraid Head
Locality 14.1 Type sequence of the Eilean Dubh Formation. [NC 3762 6878]
Locality 14.2 Stromatolites in the Eilean Dubh Formation. [NC 3765 6879]
Locality 14.3 [NC 3769 6880]
Locality 14.4 Eilean Dubh–Sailmhor Formation boundary. [NC 3782 6878]
Locality 14.5 Face in Sailmhor Formation. [NC 3788 6881]
Locality 14.6 Sailmhor–Sangomore Formation boundary. [NC 3836 6885]
Locality 14.7 Sangomore Formation. [NC 3860 6886]
Locality 14.8 [NC 3864 6885]
Locality 14.9 Sangomore–Balnakeil formation boundary. [NC 3887 6876]
Locality 14.10 [NC 3903 6872] Balnakeil Formation.
Locality 14.11 Moine psammites in the Faraid Head outlier. [NC 3925 6965]
Locality 14.12 Gneissic mylonites in the Faraid Head outlier. [NC 3855 7070]
Locality 14.13 [NC 3785 7135] Moine Thrust viewpoint.
Excursion 14B: additional localities - Loch Borralie, Smoo Cave and Sango Bay
Locality 14.14 The Croisaphuill Formation at Loch Borralie. [NC 384 670]
Locality 14.15 Smoo Cave. [NC 418 671]
Locality 14.16 [NC 4100 6740] Sangobeg Fault.
Locality 14.17 Sango Bay. [NC 4080 6770 to 4070 6800]
Locality 14.18 Creag Thairbhe. [NC 4040 6850]
Excursion 15 The Moine Thrust Zone at Loch Eriboll
Locality 15.1 An t-Sròn peninsula: a stratigraphic overview. [NC 4440 5798]
Locality 15.2 The viewpoint at Ard Neackie: Eriboll overview. [NC 4520 9990]
Locality 15.3 Port an Altain: imbricated Cambrian strata. [NC 4568 6133]
Locality 15.4 [Lighthouse. NC 4586 1779]
Locality 15.5 Loch na Cathrach Duibhe. [NC 4604 6160]
Locality 15.6 [NC 4639 6180]
Locality 15.7 Folded Pipe Rock Member. [NC 4685 6124]
Locality 15.8 Ben Arnaboll: major thrusts and associated structures. [NC 4615 5958]
Locality 15.9 Unnamed lochan. [NC 4620 5910
Locality 15.10 Upper Kempie: the mylonites. [NC 4487 5726]
Excursion 16 Roadside stops around the North-west Highlands
Locality 16.2 Moine mylonites. [NC 169 056]
Locality 16.3 Elphin: extensional faults above the Sole Thrust. [NC 208 104]
Locality 16.4 Allt a’Mhuillin Quarry. [NC 287 096]
Locality 16.5 Loch Awe Quarry. [NC 250 157]
Locality 16.6 Stronchrubie cliffs. [NC 248 200]
Locality 16.7 Peach and Horne Monument at Inchnadamph. [NC 248 222]
Locality 16.8 Loch Assynt to Skiag Bridge section. [NC 210 250] to [NC 240 240]
Locality 16.9 Cnoc Breac: viewpoint for the double unconformity. [NC 234 248]
Locality 16.10 Loch Glencoul. [NC 236 321]
Locality 16.11 Loch na Fiacaill – the ‘multicoloured rock stop’. [NC 232 486]