The geology of the Isle of Lewis and Harris - Friday 25th July to Monday 28th July 2025

4-Day Geology Tour of the Isle of Lewis and Harris with Scot Rock Walks - @scottishgeologist

Join @scottishgeologist on an immersive four-day journey through the breath taking landscapes of the Isle of Lewis and Harris. This exclusive tour, organized by Scot Rock Walks - Geology Tours Ltd, is designed for both geology enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a rare opportunity to explore some of the oldest rocks in Europe and learn about the island’s incredible geological history from an expert geologist.

Tour Highlights:

Day 1: Friday 25th July 2025 8.30am - From Glasgow to The Scottish Highlands, all the way to Stornaway

We will travel northwards to where we will get the ferry from Ullapool, exploring the various different geological wonders across the Scottish Highlands including the following:

• Pick up Glasgow at 08:30am - outside costa coffee, 50 George Square, Glasgow

• We will cross over the highland boundary fault line that separates the highlands to the lowlands

• A stop at the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where we will discover the metasedimentary rocks of the Dalradian supergroup that make up the roots of the ancient mountain chain that once belonged in Scotland 450 million years ago

• The fiery explosive depths of Glencoe’s ancient volcano that erupted 420 million years ago

• Ballachullish slate mine - an ancient deep marine environment that’s been metamorphosed

• Learn about the Ben Nevis Caldera and how it formed

• The Great Glen fault line that separates the central highlands to the northern highlands

• Pick up from Inverness for anyone booked on will be around 14:00

• On the journey up to Ullapool we will discuss the geology of the Northern Highlands Terrane

• We will board the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway - the ferry is 2.5 hours and will depart at 17:30, arriving in Ullapool at 20:00. On the ferry over there is the option to join Luisa for dinner or you can do some exploring on the ferry and maybe even see some dolphins

• Once arrived in Stornaway, Luisa will take everyone to their accommodation and arrange a meeting time in the morning.

Accommodation is not included so please ensure you book your own accommodation in and around Stornoway for the 3 nights.

Day 2: Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Isle of Harris

• Begin your adventure with an introduction to the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, some of the oldest rock formations in the world, estimated at over 3 billion years old.

• Learn about pegmatites and Scourie Dykes that cut through the Lewisian gneiss.

• Discover the famous beaches where white sands meet your blue waters at Luskentyre Sands and Scarista beach - learn about sand deposition, longshore gift and sedimentation.

• Learn about the different metamorphic grades in geology and how regional metamorphism can change rocks over geological time.

• One outcrop we look at contains garnet crystals and other interesting metamorphic minerals in it - learn about how different metamorphic mineral assemblages form.

• A journey along the stunning coastlines of Harris, where you’ll witness dramatic views, wave-sculpted rock formations, and learn about the forces that shaped this ancient landscape.

• To finish the day off we will visit the Isle of Harris distillery where there will be an option to add on a wee tour of the place (please note there will be an extra cost associated with those for those who would like to participate)

• Join Luisa for a lovely dinner somewhere in Stornaway - location to be decided.

Day 3: Sunday 27th July 2025 - The Isle of Lewis

• Visit the iconic Callanish Standing Stones, learning about the geological significance of these ancient monoliths and their link to Scotland’s early human history.

• Explore the rich peatlands, which offer fascinating insights into the island’s climate history and the preservation of organic matter over thousands of years.

• Why does Lewis and Harris have the rugged landscape that we see today?

• A closer look into fault lines and the rocks that form along this part of the land.

• The Stornaway permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks that tell a story of an ancient shallow sea.

• A visit to the Butt of Lewis - the windiest place in the UK according to the Guinness book of world records.

• Glacial features from the Quaternary period

• Join Luisa for Dinner in Stornaway - location to be decided.

Day 4: Monday 28th July 2025 - Travel back South towards Inverness and Glasgow

• Morning ferry back to Ullapool

• A stop off at the deepest gorge in Scotland where we will learn about how ice can sculpt the landscape.

• Drop off back in Inverness for those who booked this ticket option

• A stop off at a migmatite road cutting on the way back down

• House of Bruar stop - a fancy wee service station

• Back to Glasgow

Tour Details:

• Dates: Friday 25th July 2025 to Monday 28th July 2025

• Inclusions: Expert-led guided hikes, transportation to and on the island, ferry fees included and water / Scottish refreshments.

• Fitness Level: Moderate, suitable for those comfortable with up to 6 miles of walking per day on varied terrain.

• Not included: Accommodation, lunch, dinner and entry fees

This tour offers a rare blend of scientific insight and natural beauty, providing you with a deep appreciation of the Isle of Lewis and Harris’s geologic story. Whether you’re a seasoned rockhound or new to geology, Scot Rock Walks will guide you through an unforgettable exploration of one of Scotland’s geological wonders.