The geology of the Scottish Highlands Tour - Saturday 3rd May 2025 08:00-18:30 (1 day)

Discover the Scottish Highlands like you’ve never seen them before. Delve deep into the geological past of the highlands with @scottishgeologist

Itinerary

Glasgow - Loch Lomond - Falls of Falloch - Rannoch Moor - Glencoe - Ballachulish - Fort William - Glenfinnan - Return to Glasgow

08:00 Departure from Glasgow - Meet outside Costa Coffee, 50 George Square, Glasgow for introductions.

During the journey there will brief talk on the formation of the Scottish Highlands, focusing on:

• The Midland Valley geological Terrane

• The Highland Boundary Fault (HBF) - the major geological divide between the Lowlands & Highlands.

• The Central Highlands geological Terrane - The Dalradian Supergroup (metamorphic rocks)

• The Caledonian Orogeny (~400 million years ago)

• The Northern Highlands geological Terrane 

• The Moine Supergroup (metamorphic rocks) 

• A geological history of Scotland

Loch Lomond

• How Scotland was once near the South Pole and moved northward.

• The Dalradian Supergroup - ancient seafloor sediments that were buried, folded, and metamorphosed.

• The Highland Boundary Fault (HBF) - the major geological divide between the Lowlands & Highlands.

• Evidence of glacial processes shaping the loch.

Drive through Rannoch Moor (A82 Route to Glencoe)

• Scenic stop at Black Mount viewpoint and Loch Tula 

• The last Ice Age (~20,000 years ago) and how glaciers shaped Rannoch Moor.

• Glacial erratics, peat bogs, and permafrost landscapes - learn how to recognise glacial features.

Glencoe - Scotland’s 420 Million year old ‘Supervolcano’

We will stop and explore a few points in Glencoe, learning about what rocks form the munro that surround us and how these came to be. There will be a few short walks involved in this area of intermediate nature.

• The Glencoe Caldera Collapse (~420 million years ago) a volcanic super-eruption - learn how to identify different igneous rocks 

• Igneous rocks and there processes (volcanos and that)

• U-shaped valleys & hanging valleys formed by Ice Age glaciers.

• Lunch in Glencoe visitor centre

Ballachulish Slate Quarry - Metamorphism, fools gold and slaty rocks

• Explore the Ballachulish Slate Quarry, where sedimentary rocks were transformed into roofing slates.

• How high-pressure metamorphism changed mudstone into slate.

• The role of the Caledonian Orogeny in rock deformation.

• The quarrys impact on Scotlands industrial history.

Fort William & Ben Nevis Geology

• Arrive at Ben Nevis Visitor Centre.

• Short walk along River Nevis (optional 30 min).

• Ben Nevis: An extinct Devonian volcano (~400 million years ago).

• The difference between Ben Nevis granite & Glencoe volcanic rocks.

• How glacial erosion carved the mountains current shape.

• Tectonic movements & faulting linked to the Great Glen Fault.

Glenfinnan Viaduct - The Moine Supergroup 

• Metamorphism of the Moine supergroup in around the viaduct that represent the metamorphic rocks of the northern highlands

• Glenfinnan viaduct - the Harry Potter train bridge (includes short optional walk) 

• Dumbledoors grave from Harry Potter 

• Return Journey to Glasgow

• Drive back via A82, passing Loch Linnhe & Glencoe.

The Falls of Falloch Waterfall

• How do waterfalls form?

• Meta-sedimentary rocks and how they form

On the way home - Recap of:

• Scotlands geological evolution from Precambrian to today.

• How plate tectonics continue to shape the landscape.

Estimated arrival in Glasgow: 18:30-19:00.

Tour Highlights (1-Day Experience)

• See Glencoes supervolcano - one of the best-preserved in the world.

• Explore Ballachulish Slate Quarry - a story of metamorphism & industry.

• Learn about Ben Nevis - Britains highest peak and its volcanic origins.

• Glenfinnan Viaduct 

• Understand Scotlands Ice Age past - how glaciers shaped the landscape.

This efficient yet immersive tour covers Scotlands key geological wonders in a single day while allowing for scenic stops and short walks.

Please note lunch is not included in the price and you can either buy lunch at the Glencoe visitor centre or bring a packed lunch with you.

Price:

• £125.00 per person

Discounts will be offered on group bookings of two or more people:

• 2 people/couple ticket - £220.00 - save £15.00pp

• 4 people group ticket - £425.00 - save £18.25pp

• 6 people group ticket - £600.00 - save £25.00pp

• 7 people group ticket - £670..00 - save £29.28pp

What to bring?

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Scotland is known for the rain and that so please be prepared

• Backback

• Warm clothes, potentially extra layers you can take on and off.

• Gloves and hat if tour is in winter/autumn/spring time

• comfortable shoes/walking boots for rough wet terrain

• Good comfortable socks (maybe a spare pair in the backpack

• Sunscreen (recommended SPF30 (UVB) with 4-star UVA protection

• Camera/smart phone

• Battery pack

• Phone charger