We hope you can join us on the pre-conference fieldtrip to
the islands of Mull, Staffa & Iona.
A rough itinerary is outlined below, and can be downloaded here as
a pdf. We may have to adjust our timetable to the tides and weather.
Thermo 2010 Pre-Conference Field Trip
7-14th August 2010
The Islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa
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A
view of the cliffs west of Carsaig, on the south
coast of Mull |
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We will be
holding a pre-conference field trip based on the island
of Mull from 7th-14th August 2010. Mull is about 100km
north-west of Glasgow, and features an incredible diversity
of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary geology covering
an immense span of geological time from the Archaean
to the Palaeogene.
We will be staying at Scoor House, near Bunessan at the south-west end of the island. None
of the excursions involve major ascent, but some will involve walking (up to 6km or so) across
rocky, steep, or boggy ground, often without paths. However, all will have options for less
physically fit.
On this 7 day excursion
to the rugged west coast of Scotland we hope
to give you a brief introduction to the complex geology
of Scotland. We will also enjoy the spectacular scenery
and rare wildlife, and sample the best of the local
produce.
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Trips will include:
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- Boat
trip to Staffa to see Fingal’s Cave,
and superb columnar basalts and volcanic
breccias near the base of the Mull Palaeogene
lava pile. (Distance: 0.5 km, terrain: Easy)
- Ferry
crossing to Iona to see the historic Iona
Abbey, and Archaean and Proterozoic orthogneisses,
paragneisses, pseudotachylites, and deformed
late Proterozoic sedimentary rocks. (Distance:
~6 km, terrain: Moderate-difficult)
- Alternative Easy
Terrain option available
- The Ross of Mull Granite
pluton (Silurian/Devonian) at Knockvologan
showing superb magma-mixing features, plus
amphibolite-facies Proterozoic Moine country
rocks at Ardalanish, and elsewhere. (Distance:
~ 3-4 km, terrain: Easy)
- A
road trip to Tobermory and back via Mull’s
spectacular west coast, with geological
stops en route to look at Palaeogene
igneous rocks, and a visit to the Isle
of Mull Malt Whisky distillery in Tobermory.
(Distance: 0.5km, Difficulty: Easy, Road
side locaities)
- Carsaig: Mesozoic sediments
below the
Palaeogene lava pile, plus minor intrusions,
and ignimbrites and magma-wet sediment interaction
at the base of the lava pile. (Distance:
~ 4km, Difficulty:
Moderate-difficult).
- Alternative Easy
Terrain option available
- Palaeogene intrusive
rocks layered Loch Uisg Gabbro and “Granophyre”,
plus cone sheets) at Loch Buie. (Distance
4-5 km, terrain: Easy)
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| We also have a range of shorter
excursions in the event of bad weather, or other contingencies.
A detailed excursion guide will be provided and will
include information about all the planned excursions
as well as a range of information on the local area |
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Price:
The price of £450 includes
all transport, accommodation,
food and the field guide. Numbers
are limited to 32 because of
accommodation; places will be
awarded on a first come first
served basis. Registration is
now open. Please visit the website
for more information. If you
have any questions please contact
the organisers BEFORE you make your payment. |
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Scoor
House |
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Travel:
Leave Glasgow
on the morning of 7th August by minibus and travel
to Mull. This will include the 45 minute ferry
crossing from Oban to Mull. Dinner will be provided
by a local hotel, breakfast and lunch will be
provided at Scoor House. Travel around Mull will
be by minibus and on Iona and Staffa will be
by foot.
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Wild
Red Deer Stag at Scoor |
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Accommodation & Catering:
Accommodation
will be in shared twin/triple
dormitory style rooms at Scoor
House, a converted farmhouse
with a number of self contained
flats or cottages.Please
state on your registration
form if there is anyone in
particular you want to share
with, we will try and accommodate
everyone but as space is limited.
If the trip is full there will
be no single occupancy rooms.
Please contact the organisers
if you have a problem with
shared accommodation as more
expensive accommodation in
the local area may be possible.
ALL BEDDING IS PROVIDED, BUT YOU
MUST BRING A TOWEL. |
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Columnar jointing in basalt, Staffa
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Terrain & Equipment:
The terrain is not steep but can be very uneven and boggy
in places. All participants MUST have suitable,
safe footwear (walking boots) and waterproofs as the
weather on Mull can be changeable and is often wet, even
in mid summer. |
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| IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT
THE ORGANISERS BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR PAYMENT. |
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| Email: Thermo2010@ges.gla.ac.uk |
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| Phone: +44 141 330 5442 |
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Please complete the form below to
register for the field trip.
All questions marked *
must be completed.
Please complete a seperate form for each accompanying persons.
You can make a single payment.
You should only submit this registration form once. If you have already
registered, and now wish to pay, please click here.
