Lochaber Rocks On!
The Geopark boasts a jaw-dropping array of geological marvels
THE website of the Lochaber Geopark sums up the area quite nicely – an outdoor playground, sculpted by nature. Thousands of people climb Ben Nevis each year, but does anyone stop to think how the Ben came about or how Lochaber’s spectacular lochs and glens were created and what qualifies the area as one of Scotland’s three geoparks?
But if you want to know about the geological history of Lochaber, whose rock structures dates back 70 million years, help is at hand from Lochaber Geopark whose experts are keen to impart their knowledge to those less informed.
Eight geotrail leaflets are available. Choose from Ardnamurchan, Glen Nevis, Glen Coe, Glen Roy, Loch Leven, Morvern, the Small Isles and the Road to the Isles.
Lochaber Geopark also has regular involvement with the local primary and secondary schools, providing talks, day trips and geology material. Each school has a Rock Box with rocks from different parts of Lochaber, a magnifying glass and notes on the rock types. A similar Mineral Box is planned, which will travel from school to school together with accompanying descriptive notes and lesson plans.
Many universities and colleges, from the UK and abroad, use Lochaber as a venue for fieldwork course.
“The whole of Lochaber has been an area of geological research for nearly 200 years and is still attracting researchers today,” explains the Geopark’s Jim Blair. “It is probably the best area in Britain for volcanic and igneous geology.”
One of the most visible signs of geological activity are the parallel lines in Glen Roy, seen high on southern and northern slopes of the glen.
“Glen Roy is probably the best, or at least, the most famous example of glacially dammed lake shorelines in the world,” continues Jim. “Part of the glen is classified as a National Nature Reserve because of these periglacial features and we want to keep it that way.
“Being surface features, they are not everlasting, geologically speaking. Once gone they will be irreplaceable. The great Charles Darwin got their interpretation wrong, thinking them to be raised beaches.” The area of Lochaber stretches from the western edges of Rannoch Moor to Ardnamurchan and the Small Isles of Rum, Muck, Eigg and Canna. It’s not only a geologist’s dream, but an attraction for nature lovers and those fascinated by Scotland’s natural beauty.
There are five designated National Scenic Areas in Lochaber – Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Knoydart, Loch Shiel, Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan and the Small Isles. Don’t forget the three National Nature Reserves
– the Isle of Rum, the Ariundale Oakwoods and Glen Roy. Add to that 26 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 64 Geological Conservation Review Sites and you see just what Lochaber has to offer.
And of all the “must sees”, what does Jim recommend?
“For me, it has to be the Ardnamurchan volcano, which erupted about 58 million years ago. Others would say Ben Nevis, Glen Coe or Glen Roy. Lochaber Geopark has so much to offer that we are spoilt for choice!”
Lochaber Geopark’s base in Fort Wiliam’s High Street is worth a visit. Helpful staff – maybe even Jim himself – will answer any questions about Lochaber’s geological past. And if you join in one of their geotrails, which have information boards at intervals, you’ll find out lots more.
“Lochaber has been an area of research for over 200 years