Fig. 4.1 Location map and general geology of Excursion 4.
Purpose:
An east-west traverse through the Sgurr Beag Nappe to examine the internal structure of the nappe and its basal thrust.
Aspects covered:
Curvilinear, recumbent folds in the Loch Eil Group; sedimentary structures in the Glenfinnan/Loch Eil group transition; the Quoich Granitic Gneiss; the Loch Quoich Line and intense Caledonian upright folds; curvilinear folds in the Glenfinnan Group; syn-deformational pegmatites; Lewisianoid inlier in the Sgurr Beag Thrust Zone; reworking of the ductile thrust-related fabric by steep-belt structures; a lower (Knoydart?) ductile thrust within the Morar Group.
A mixture of roadside, lochside and off-road exposures involving some hill-walking.
Distance:
by car 40km (25 miles), one-way from Invergarry, plus c.10km walking.
Time:
By car c.2 hours return journey plus a long day’s fieldwork. Could usefully be split into two days, after visiting the Quoich dam spillway. Coaches can proceed no further than Locality 4.7 (Quoich bridge).
Useful information:
This section is best studied while staying at Invergarry, where there are two hotels, two campsites and many B&B establishments. If you wish to take a large party into Coir’ an t-Seasgaich during the stalking season (1 September to mid-October), it is best to seek advice first from the keeper (Mr A. L. MacNally, Tel: 01809 511220) in the small village of Kingie, 3km east of the Quoich dam.
Short itinerary:
Locality 4.1 (Garry Quarry), Locality 4.3 (Quoich dam spillway), Locality 4.5 (Quoich shore), Locality 4.8 (Coire Shubh Beag, 4.8D and 4.8E only), Locality 4.9 (Kinloch Hourn, omit 4.9A and walk as far as time permits).
Excursion 4 Invergarry to Kinloch Hourn is composed of the following articles:
