| Another all-day field trip for the Environment of Scotland Through the Ages course, this time to the island of Arran near the west coast of Scotland. | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Arran is sometimes referred to as "Scotland in miniature." The Highland Boundary Fault bisects the island, so the northern part is mountainous and the southern part of the island is more gently rolling. It is home to numerous archaeologically and historically significant sites, as well as being home to "Hutton's Unconformity." In 1787, geologist James Hutton noticed a change in the angle of the rocks where 600 million year old grey-green Cambrian schist dips and is overlain by young red Devonian sandstone (200 million years younger!). This observation helped Hutton work out his theories about the age of the earth. Lochranza Castle is here as well, and it is thought that Robert the Bruce landed here in 1307 at the start of his campaign for independence. | A6. (left) On the Cal-Mac ferry to Brodick, Arran. Laura looking not a bit seasick A7. (above) Hiking along the west coast of Arran, on the way to the King's Cave. A2. (right) The view from inside King's Cave. Prince Charlie allegedly lived here while hiding from the English army. |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| A4. High above the coast, hiking from King's Cave to Machrie Moor, where there are numerous prehistoric standing stones, chambered cairns, and hut circles. | A3. (above) One of a spectacular array of 4 meter high standing stones, on Machrie Moor. |
A1. Typical western islands weather. One of ten rainbows we saw that day. | |
| Previous | 1 2 3 4 4B 5 6 7 8 9 101112 13 | Next |