Excursion to the Bathgate Hills - Revision history

Dst: minor changes to locality details in text to make it generally applicable rather than for a specific excursion in 2013

2019-04-03T11:27:08Z

minor changes to locality details in text to make it generally applicable rather than for a specific excursion in 2013

Scotfot at 10:59, 29 January 2019

2019-01-29T10:59:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 29 January 2019
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	P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.		P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.
	P992441.jpg\|Interpretation of Bore Hole 2 (Silver Mine). Hilderston Silver Mine.		P992441.jpg\|Interpretation of Bore Hole 2 (Silver Mine). Hilderston Silver Mine.
	P992442.jpg\|Sections of old workings at Hilderston Mine.		P992442.jpg\|Sections of old workings at Hilderston Mine.
			P992443.jpg\|Hilderston Silver Mine: Plan of known workings based upon original descriptions by Atkinson (1619).
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-29T10:56:47Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:56, 29 January 2019
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	P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.		P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.
	P992441.jpg\|Interpretation of Bore Hole 2 (Silver Mine). Hilderston Silver Mine.		P992441.jpg\|Interpretation of Bore Hole 2 (Silver Mine). Hilderston Silver Mine.
			P992442.jpg\|Sections of old workings at Hilderston Mine.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-29T10:54:12Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 29 January 2019
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	P992438.jpg\|Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Bathgate Hills at the time of deposition of the Petershill Limestone.		P992438.jpg\|Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Bathgate Hills at the time of deposition of the Petershill Limestone.
	P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.		P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.
			P992441.jpg\|Interpretation of Bore Hole 2 (Silver Mine). Hilderston Silver Mine.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot at 10:47, 29 January 2019

2019-01-29T10:47:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 29 January 2019
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	P941484.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly maps. Total field aeromagnetic anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941484).		P941484.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly maps. Total field aeromagnetic anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941484).
	P992438.jpg\|Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Bathgate Hills at the time of deposition of the Petershill Limestone.		P992438.jpg\|Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Bathgate Hills at the time of deposition of the Petershill Limestone.
			P992439.jpg\|Interpreted sections of Bore 3B Aitken Bog Plantation.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot at 10:42, 29 January 2019

2019-01-29T10:42:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 29 January 2019
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	P941483.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly map. Bouguer gravity anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941483).		P941483.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly map. Bouguer gravity anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941483).
	P941484.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly maps. Total field aeromagnetic anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941484).		P941484.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly maps. Total field aeromagnetic anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941484).
			P992438.jpg\|Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Bathgate Hills at the time of deposition of the Petershill Limestone.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-28T21:49:21Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 28 January 2019
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	File:Bathgate_Fig_02.jpg\|Comparison of the generalized vertical section north of Linlithgow with that in the southern Bathgate Hills.		File:Bathgate_Fig_02.jpg\|Comparison of the generalized vertical section north of Linlithgow with that in the southern Bathgate Hills.
	File:Bathgate_Fig_03.jpg\|East Kirkton palaeoenvironments and faunas: Viséan, Bathgate Group.		File:Bathgate_Fig_03.jpg\|East Kirkton palaeoenvironments and faunas: Viséan, Bathgate Group.
	File:P002882.jpg\|East Kirkton Quarry [NS 990 092], near Bathgate. A unique and varied terrestrial assemblage of fossils have been collected from this site, ''~~including Westlothiana~~ lizziae'', a vertebrate fossil.		File:P002882.jpg\|East Kirkton Quarry [NS 990 092], near Bathgate. A unique and varied terrestrial assemblage of fossils have been collected from this site, including ''Westlothiana lizziae'', a vertebrate fossil.
	P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).		P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).
	P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).		P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-28T21:10:44Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:10, 28 January 2019
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	P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).		P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).
	P941481.jpg\|Lateral extent of the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. (P941481).		P941481.jpg\|Lateral extent of the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. (P941481).
	P941483.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly map. Bouguer gravity anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area.		P941483.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly map. Bouguer gravity anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941483).
			P941484.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly maps. Total field aeromagnetic anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area. (P941484).
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-28T21:06:22Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:06, 28 January 2019
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	P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).		P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).
	P941481.jpg\|Lateral extent of the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. (P941481).		P941481.jpg\|Lateral extent of the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. (P941481).
			P941483.jpg\|Geophysical anomaly map. Bouguer gravity anomalies for the Falkirk district and surrounding area.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

Scotfot: /* Further reading */

2019-01-28T21:00:31Z

Further reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 28 January 2019
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	P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).		P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).
	P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).		P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).
			P941481.jpg\|Lateral extent of the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. (P941481).
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	{{EGwalks}}		{{EGwalks}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 28 January 2019
Line 105:		Line 105:
	File:Bathgate_Fig_02.jpg\|Comparison of the generalized vertical section north of Linlithgow with that in the southern Bathgate Hills.		File:Bathgate_Fig_02.jpg\|Comparison of the generalized vertical section north of Linlithgow with that in the southern Bathgate Hills.
	File:Bathgate_Fig_03.jpg\|East Kirkton palaeoenvironments and faunas: Viséan, Bathgate Group.		File:Bathgate_Fig_03.jpg\|East Kirkton palaeoenvironments and faunas: Viséan, Bathgate Group.
	File:P002882.jpg\|East Kirkton Quarry [NS 990 092], near Bathgate. A unique and varied terrestrial assemblage of fossils have been collected from this site, ''~~including Westlothiana~~ lizziae'', a vertebrate fossil.		File:P002882.jpg\|East Kirkton Quarry [NS 990 092], near Bathgate. A unique and varied terrestrial assemblage of fossils have been collected from this site, including ''Westlothiana lizziae'', a vertebrate fossil.
	P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).		P220914.jpg\|East Kirkton Limestone. Cut surface of a hand specimen showing lamination and intraformational folding. (P220914).
	P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).		P941490.jpg\| ''Westlothiana lizziae'' Smithson and Rolfe. Fossil skeleton of the key linking form between amphibians and reptiles, popularly known as 'Lizzie'. (P941490).

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:27, 3 April 2019
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	The volcanic rocks constitute the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. They are thickest (up to c. 600 m) and have their widest stratigraphical range to the west of the Bathgate Hills, where their extent coincides with large, high-amplitude, positive gravity and magnetic anomalies — the Bathgate Anomaly. However, although they undoubtedly contribute to the anomaly, the volcanic rocks alone cannot account for such large amplitudes and it is thought that there must be a large mass of underlying basic intrusions extending to a depth of about 8 km.		The volcanic rocks constitute the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. They are thickest (up to c. 600 m) and have their widest stratigraphical range to the west of the Bathgate Hills, where their extent coincides with large, high-amplitude, positive gravity and magnetic anomalies — the Bathgate Anomaly. However, although they undoubtedly contribute to the anomaly, the volcanic rocks alone cannot account for such large amplitudes and it is thought that there must be a large mass of underlying basic intrusions extending to a depth of about 8 km.

	Sedimentary strata intercalated with the volcanic rocks, between the top of the West Lothian Oil-shale Formation and the top of the Upper Limestone Formation, are exposed only in limestone quarries, some of which are extensive, but ~~at this time of year~~ in particular ~~they~~ are ~~commonly~~ overgrown.		Sedimentary strata intercalated with the volcanic rocks, between the top of the West Lothian Oil-shale Formation and the top of the Upper Limestone Formation, are exposed only in limestone quarries, some of which are extensive, but during the summer in particular many are overgrown.

	The regional dip is 20–30° westwards on the eastern limb of the Central Coalfield Syncline. Dominant faults trend E–W and many of those are followed by dykes of quartz-dolerite. This imparts a dominant E–W trend on the topography, which has been emphasised by west to east ice movement during the Main Late Devensian (Dimlington) Stadial.		The regional dip is 20–30° westwards on the eastern limb of the Central Coalfield Syncline. Dominant faults trend E–W and many of those are followed by dykes of quartz-dolerite. This imparts a dominant E–W trend on the topography, which has been emphasised by west to east ice movement during the Main Late Devensian (Dimlington) Stadial.

	Unfortunately the overall quality of exposure in the Bathgate Hills seems to have deteriorated considerably since I worked there in the early 1980s and since publication of the field excursion by Stephenson and Monro in Lothian Geology in 1986~~. However, we will make the best of what is still visible and put it in historical context~~.		Unfortunately the overall quality of exposure in the Bathgate Hills seems to have deteriorated considerably since I worked there in the early 1980s and since publication of the field excursion by Stephenson and Monro in Lothian Geology in 1986.

	== 1 East Kirkton Quarry ==		== 1 East Kirkton Quarry ==
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	'''(SSSI so no hammering please)'''		'''(SSSI so no hammering please)'''

	Park, with due consideration for the residents (difficult), in the small housing scheme around [NS ~~984~~ 693]. Walk back to enter the SWT Nature Reserve at the SW corner of the former Petershill Reservoir.		Park, with due consideration for the residents (difficult), in the small housing scheme around [NS 983 693]. Walk back to enter the SWT Nature Reserve at the SW corner of the former Petershill Reservoir. There is also a small parking area for one or two cars on the north side of the main road at [NS 986 695]. Please '''do not park''' in the entrance to the farm track at [NS 984 694].

	This is the southern limit of outcrop of the marine Petershill Limestone, thought to be equivalent to the combined Main and Mid Hosie limestones of the Lower Limestone Formation, which was the subject of a PhD by Jerry Jameson in 1980. Jerry unearthed a fascinating story of facies changes around a volcanic island, which unfortunately was never published in an easily accessible journal (but see Jameson 1987 in reading list). Here we have the outer, reef facies, with an abundant fauna of solitary corals, colonial corals (Lithostrotion junceum), spinose productid brachiopods, echinoids, crinoids, bryozoa and sponges.		This is the southern limit of outcrop of the marine Petershill Limestone, thought to be equivalent to the combined Main and Mid Hosie limestones of the Lower Limestone Formation, which was the subject of a PhD by Jerry Jameson in 1980. Jerry unearthed a fascinating story of facies changes around a volcanic island, which unfortunately was never published in an easily accessible journal (but see Jameson 1987 in reading list). Here we have the outer, reef facies, with an abundant fauna of solitary corals, colonial corals (Lithostrotion junceum), spinose productid brachiopods, echinoids, crinoids, bryozoa and sponges.
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	The Knock is part of an outcrop of quartz-dolerite that trends NNW and dips steeply ENE at 60°. This appears to be part of an inclined dyke, up to 40 m wide, which extends from Boghall on the eastern edge of Bathgate to Wairdlaw in the north. It is, in fact, a major step-like transgression in a major sill of the Midland Valley Sill-complex. The sill is generally concordant with the bedding of the sedimentary and volcanic succession and hence dips west at 20–30°, so the dip of 60° eastwards at e.g. the Knock is at right angles.		The Knock is part of an outcrop of quartz-dolerite that trends NNW and dips steeply ENE at 60°. This appears to be part of an inclined dyke, up to 40 m wide, which extends from Boghall on the eastern edge of Bathgate to Wairdlaw in the north. It is, in fact, a major step-like transgression in a major sill of the Midland Valley Sill-complex. The sill is generally concordant with the bedding of the sedimentary and volcanic succession and hence dips west at 20–30°, so the dip of 60° eastwards at e.g. the Knock is at right angles.

	In the back wall of the car-park quarry, the western chilled contact of the ‘dyke’ is well exposed ~~(especially so at present as a result of a recent fire)~~; it cuts basalt lava, dipping NW at about 20°.		In the back wall of the car-park quarry, the western chilled contact of the ‘dyke’ is well exposed; it cuts basalt lava, dipping NW at about 20°.

	The summit of The Knock, with orientation table, is a splendid view point. To the north and south we can see continuations of the ‘dyke’ across the eastern edge of Cairnpapple Hill and Raven Crag respectively, and we can discuss the dominant E–W features of the Bathgate Hills in relation to faults, quartz-dolerite dykes and ice movement. More-distant views are full of even more-varied geological features.		The summit of The Knock, with orientation table, is a splendid view point. To the north and south we can see continuations of the ‘dyke’ across the eastern edge of Cairnpapple Hill and Raven Crag respectively, and we can discuss the dominant E–W features of the Bathgate Hills in relation to faults, quartz-dolerite dykes and ice movement. More-distant views are full of even more-varied geological features.
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	== 7 Hillhouse Quarry ==		== 7 Hillhouse Quarry ==

	Return to main Beecraigs Country Park car park at [NT 007 746]. Walk 300 m NNW up road to T-junction.		Return to the main Beecraigs Country Park car park at [NT 007 746]. Walk 300 m NNW up the road to a T-junction.

	The quarries, on both sides of the road, are horribly overgrown and potentially dangerous but just north of the road the Hillhouse Sill can be seen overlying and in contact with the top of the Hillhouse Limestone.		The quarries, on both sides of the road, are horribly overgrown and potentially dangerous but just north of the road the Hillhouse Sill can be seen overlying and in contact with the top of the Hillhouse Limestone.

	The sill is very fresh and is the type locality for the ‘Hillhouse type’ of basalt as defined by A.G. Macgregor in 1928 in his local classification of basaltic rocks, which plagued maps and publications throughout central and southern Scotland almost until the end of the 20th Century. The ‘Hillhouse type’ contains microphenocrysts (less than 2 mm) of olivine (brown pseudomorphs) and clinopyroxene (black). The rocks are commonly ~~hypersthene~~-normative (i.e. they are Si-undersaturated) and some are basanite in composition.		The sill is very fresh and is the type locality for the ‘Hillhouse type’ of basalt as defined by A.G. Macgregor in 1928 in his local classification of basaltic rocks, which plagued maps and publications throughout central and southern Scotland almost until the end of the 20th Century. The ‘Hillhouse type’ contains microphenocrysts (less than 2 mm) of olivine (brown pseudomorphs) and clinopyroxene (black). The rocks are commonly nepheline-normative (i.e. they are Si-undersaturated) and some are basanite in composition.

	The Hillhouse Limestone, 9–12 m thick, is considered to be equivalent stratigraphically to the Petershill Limestone, though their outcrops are probably not continuous along strike, having been deposited on opposite sides of a volcanic island. It is characterised by beds rich in crinoids, solitary and colonial corals and productid brachiopods. It dips west at 30 – 40° and was formerly worked both by quarrying and by stoop and room in underground galleries. At the north end of the quarries the entrances to the galleries can be seen but access is precarious owing to the steep dip and slippery bedding surfaces. There have been roof collapses, some of which have caused subsidence in the overlying road. '''DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER'''.		The Hillhouse Limestone, 9–12 m thick, is considered to be equivalent stratigraphically to the Petershill Limestone, though their outcrops are probably not continuous along strike, having been deposited on opposite sides of a volcanic island. It is characterised by beds rich in crinoids, solitary and colonial corals and productid brachiopods. It dips west at 30 – 40° and was formerly worked both by quarrying and by stoop and room in underground galleries. At the north end of the quarries the entrances to the galleries can be seen but access is precarious owing to the steep dip and slippery bedding surfaces. There have been roof collapses, some of which have caused subsidence in the overlying road. '''DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER'''.