THE ROCKS: Siccar Point is world-famous because it was discovered and described by James Hutton in support of his world-changing ideas on the origin and age of the Earth. It remains now much the same as when Hutton visited in 1788. The junction between the older, tilted layers of greywacke sandstone and the younger, overlying Old Red Sandstone is clearly visible, allowing us to work out the story of the formation of these rocks. By approaching along the coast as Hutton did, we can see Siccar Point in the context of the surrounding area.

THE WALK: A varied walk along the coastal path from Cockburnspath to Pease Bay and on to the viewpoint above Siccar Point. Distance 6 km one-way. The walk will finish at Siccar Point; we can arrange cars to get back to the start, or you can walk back on quiet roads, an additional 4 km.

I have classified this as an Easy Walk. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear, waterproof clothing and something to eat and drink.

MEETING POINT & ROUTE: Meet in Cockburnspath at the signboard indicating the end of the Southern Upland Way (junction of Hoprig Road and the Edinburgh Road). Grid reference: NT775711 | Nearest Postcode: TD13 5YF | What3Words:headlight.parkland.hedgehog| Route Map.

This walk is accessible by public transport: bus 253 from Dunbar at 09:59am, walk starts at Cockburnspath at 10:30am. Return bus from Cockburnspath at 3:14 or 5:01pm.  There are various options to return to the start point after the walk: there is a shorter return route (4km) along the minor road from Pease Bay to Cove. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a car shuttle.

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THE ROCKS: Siccar Point is world-famous because it was discovered and described by James Hutton in support of his world-changing ideas on the origin and age of the Earth. It remains now much the same as when Hutton visited in 1788. The junction between the older, tilted layers of greywacke sandstone and the younger, overlying Old Red Sandstone is clearly visible, allowing us to work out the story of the formation of these rocks. By approaching along the coast as Hutton did, we can see Siccar Point in the context of the surrounding area.

THE WALK: A varied walk along the coastal path from Cockburnspath to Pease Bay and on to the viewpoint above Siccar Point. The rocks lie at the foot of a steep grassy slope; it is not essential to descend all the way down the slope to see the key features. Distance 6 km one-way. The walk will finish at Siccar Point; we can arrange cars to get back to the start, or you can walk back on quiet roads, an additional 4 km.

I have classified this as an Easy Walk; Descending to the rocks is an Adventurous addition, only possible if the weather conditions are right. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear, waterproof clothing and something to eat and drink.

MEETING POINT & ROUTE: Meet in Cockburnspath at the signboard indicating the end of the Southern Upland Way (junction of Hoprig Road and the Edinburgh Road). Grid reference: NT775711 | Nearest Postcode: TD13 5YF | What3Words:headlight.parkland.hedgehog| Route Map.

This walk is accessible by public transport: bus 253 from Dunbar at 09:59am, walk starts at Cockburnspath at 10:30am. Return bus from Cockburnspath at 3:14 or 5:01pm.  There are various options to return to the start point after the walk: there is a shorter return route (4km) along the minor road from Pease Bay to Cove. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a car shuttle.

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It is aimed at anyone who is interested in Scotland and its landscape, and would like to find out more about the geological underpinnings of this small but interesting country. We explore all aspects of the geology of Scotland, linking the underlying rocks with today’s landscape, and discover intimate connections between rocks, landscape and people.

The course assumes no prior knowledge, and will build an understanding of the basic principles of geology and how these apply to Scotland’s story, with lots of pointers to further information. Each online session runs for 75-90 minutes.

Programme

Session 1: Scotland’s Journey  We start by building a basic understand how the Earth works, and how the surface of the planet is forever changing due to the Earth’s internal heat and the movement of tectonic plates. We explore how drifting continents over billions of years have led to the creation of Scotland’s rocks: an amazing variety of rock types and ages. Link to Recording.

Session 2: Sedimentary rocks of Scotland  One of the major, long-lasting processes on the surface of planet Earth is the erosion of land surfaces and the transport of sediment towards the sea. It goes on today, and it has done for billions of years. This simple process has led to the creation of major new rock volumes in the past, which are a significant feature of Scotland’s land and surrounding seabed today.

Session 3: Igneous rocks of Scotland  Volcanoes were here. Significant episodes of volcanic activity have occurred in Scotland in the past, creating a wide range of igneous rocks in volcanoes and underground accumulation of magma. From Skye, Staffa, Glen Coe, Arran to the craggy hills of central Edinburgh, this volcanic activity is responsible for much of the most iconic of Scotland’s scenery.

Session 4: Metamorphic rocks of Scotland  Moving continental plates collide, and make mountains. Intrinsic to this process is the burial, heating and change to existing rocks to make metamorphic rocks, such as slate, schist and gneiss. These rocks underlie a significant proportion of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, and are connected to episodes of continental collision in the past, particularly the episode known as the Caledonian Orogeny 400-500 million years ago.

Session 5: Moulding Scotland’s landscape  Scotland’s varied and beautiful landscape is moulded from the variety of rocks that are found here, and their characteristics that have resulted in erosion of tens, often hundreds, of millions of years. Throughout Scotland, there is a strong connection between the shape of the land and the underlying rocks.

Session 6: Scotland’s Story  We trace Scotland’s story, showing how changing global conditions have led to the creation of a palimpsest of different rocks over a long period of time, and how these stories are encoded in the rocks. We draw on the work of Hugh MacDiarmid, Rabbie Burns and other writers to bring together the “loose ends of Scotland and … attempt to express the whole” and consider what’s coming next, before the “rocks melt wi the sun”.

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Geology of Edinburgh course: Erosion and landscape formation, Water of Leith

Follow the Water of Leith upstream from an old shoreline, through a deep rocky gorge to the swamp beyond, to appreciate how ice and meltwater have shaped Edinburgh’s landscape.

THE ROCKS: Edinburgh’s river, the Water of Leith, flows through a varied landscape created from the erosion of different rock types by water and ice over a long time period.

THE WALK: Follow the Water of Leith from Stockbridge to Dean Village and onwards past Murrayfield to Saughton Park (where there are plenty of bus services back towards the start point). I have classified this as a Moderate Walk, not always on paths, it may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.  Duration 3 hours, distance 5 km.

MEETING POINT & ROUTE: Meet at the corner of Kerr Street and Saunders Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Grid reference NT 2464 7451 | Nearest Postcode: EH3 6SZ | What3Words: moment.bottle.status | Route Map.

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Geology of Edinburgh course: Carboniferous volcanic and intrusive rocks in Holyrood Park

Explore the remains of the Arthur’s Seat volcano and the spectacular intrusive sill of Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh

THE ROCKS: Arthur’s Seat is an eroded basalt volcanic cone, which formed 342 million years ago, and includes basalt lava flows and spectacular volcanic vent rocks including breccia and intrusions. Salisbury Crags formed a few million years later, due to magma intrusion into the sedimentary rocks beneath the volcano.

THE WALK: We will walk around Holyrood Park, climbing past St Anthony’s Chapel and through the Dry Dam to join the Queens Drive and complete the circuit. I have classified this as a Moderate Walk, not always on paths, it may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.  Duration 3 hours, distance 5 km.

MEETING POINT & ROUTE: Meet outside the (closed) Holyrood Park visitor centre, on Horse Wynd near the public entrance to the Scottish Parliament. Grid reference NT 2684 7381 | Nearest Postcode: EH99 1SP | What3Words: spared.nods.hops | Route Map.

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