Ailsa Craig Central Complex, Hebridean Igneous Province

Emeleus, C H, and Bell, B R. 2005. British regional geology: The Palaeogene volcanic districts of Scotland. Fourth edition. Keyworth, Nottingham: British Geological Survey.

Introduction

Palaeogene central complexes, lava fields, sill-complexes and dyke swarms in western Scotland and north-east Ireland. P914119

Ailsa Craig is a spectacular, conical island in the Firth of Clyde about 20 km south of Arran (P914119). It is formed by a boss of peralkaline microgranite intruded into Triassic rocks. The microgranite is characterised by riebeckitic arfvedsonite and Zr-rich aegirine (Harding, 1983; Harrison et al., 1987); aenigmatite also occurs (Howie and Walsh, 1981). This distinctive rock-type is a widespread glacial marker southwards on either side of the Irish Sea (p. 160). It has traditionally been a favoured lithology for the manufacture of curling stones (p. 173).

References

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