Geowalks

22/08/2024

I'm out and about on Sunday morning (25th August) with Fiona Stafford and Max Leonard in an inside-out event exploring the watery history of Edinburgh.

31/07/2024

It's Edinburgh Festival Fringe time, join us for *two* engaging walking theatre shows exploring Edinburgh's place in the development of ideas.

Darwin in Edinburgh is on every day 2-6 August at 11am exploring the locations and characters that influenced Darwin’s own evolution when he was a medical student here in Edinburgh 1825-27. Starts at the back of the National Museum of Scotland (Potterow), finishes Dynamic Earth, 2km walking on pavements and paths with some steps.

Hutton in Edinburgh runs every day 1-11 August (except 6th) at 2pm, take a walk through Edinburgh's landscape with philosopher James Hutton and his sister Isobella in 1797, exploring Hutton’s theory of a dynamic Earth. Starts Commonwealth Pool, finishes at the Pleasance, 2.5km walking on paths and grass.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/darwin-in-edinburgh

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/hutton-in-edinburgh

See you there!

24/07/2024

Geology on the Fringe! Join me for two walking theatre shows this August exploring Edinburgh's science legacy https://mailchi.mp/c27d16b0fd6c/geowalks-in-17393794

13/06/2024

Beautiful description of one of the best geology sites in Scotland!

58 millions years ago, a major volcanic eruption occurred on neighbouring Skye. A pyroclastic flow – a hot suspension of rock particles and gases – swamped the landscape, reaching the winding bed of a river system carved in the Eigg basaltic plateau. Filling it to the brim, the suspension collapsed and cooled, becoming the pitchstone that now forms the Sgurr. Further cooling produced columnar joints at right angles to the valley sides near the pitchstone’s base and amazing fan-like patterns are seen on the summit ridge.

Volcanic rocks formed from pyroclastic flows are called ignimbrites, contrasting with lavas, such as the basalts on Eigg, that cooled from liquid magmas.

Much later the pitchstone, harder than basalt withstood erosion far better than the surrounding rock. With glaciation providing the finishing touches, the mile-long ridge of An Sgurr now stands proud as the inverse of an ancient valley, as impressive as Antrim’s Giant’s Causeway.

10/03/2024

Getting very excited about a new collaboration this year, our Rock and Run trip to the Isle of Rum with Straveigg. 22-26 April, flexible trip with lots of options to walk / run / stagger 😀. Full details and booking here - https://www.straveigg.co.uk/rum2024

04/03/2024

Spring walks - https://mailchi.mp/2dfb285c08e5/geowalks-in-17375237

13/01/2024

I'm looking forward to some great geo-adventures this spring, exploring the best of Scotland's geology. Trips are filling up fast, there is only one bunk left for the Southern Hebrides Geosail with Selkie Explorers – Monday 8 to Friday 12 April 2024 - sailing from Oban and exploring amazing varied geology in the Firth of Lorn. Kerrera, the Garvellachs, Slate islands, Lismore and Mull are all within reach, depending on where the wind takes us! Details at https://www.selkie-explorers.com/southern-hebrides-geosail/
Wild Scotland

05/01/2024

Join me in exploring some wonderful Scottish geology in 2024 - https://mailchi.mp/2221e1294b9c/geowalks-in-17365932

31/12/2023

Best wishes for the year end and a 2024 filled with many opportunities to spend time in beautiful places. I've had a most relaxing Hogmanay on the coast of Lochaber, on pebbly and sandy beaches next to a peaceful sea. With views of my favourite islands!

11/10/2023

Autumn rocks - https://mailchi.mp/648fdc732a10/geowalks-in-16859880

31/08/2023

Scottish Geology Festival is here! - https://mailchi.mp/33cbb704f78d/geowalks-in-16854580

02/08/2023

Rehearsals tomorrow, then our 10 day run kicks off on Friday. 2pm each day, see you there!

“If you come to see on Monday August 7th or Tuesday August 8th, there are half price tickets currently available... That's just £6 to see our entertaining show at ! Get yours while you can 🙂 ”

13/07/2023

Summer geology, sailing ... and Charles Darwin returns! - https://mailchi.mp/693d533dd9b9/geowalks-in-16848624

09/05/2023

New publication from Historic Environment Scotland about Holyrood Park - with a great geological overview (well, I helped write it) but loads of other interesting pages too, packed full of detail and great illustrations. Only £6, you can buy it here -

New and exclusive official Holyrood Park Guidebook from Historic Environment Scotland. Shop online at stor.scot for souvenir guidebooks for Scottish sites.

01/03/2023

Geowalks news: lots more walks! - https://mailchi.mp/6a4cb577fc25/geowalks-in-16829372

06/02/2023

Geowalks - I've got some amazing short walks and geology walking holidays planned for this year.

04/01/2023

Easy New Year's Resolution - join Angus on a Geowalk in 2023! https://mailchi.mp/e6d29097918c/geowalks-in-16819556

04/11/2022

This November, I'm visiting a different geosite every day, celebrating the variety of Scotland's geology and exploring how important sites can be better recognised and protected. There will be a mix of Local Geodiversity Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and sites in the Geological Conservation Review (which should all be SSSI, but aren't ☹).
Today's early dog walk was at the Ravelston Woods LGS in Edinburgh - you can follow the journey and join in over on twitter - https://twitter.com/Geowalks

06/10/2022

Guided walks exploring some lovely places around Edinburgh this autumn - https://mailchi.mp/5a3b80f7557e/geowalks-in-16098520

16/09/2022

What's next? Geowalks this autumn and into 2023; lots of events in the Scottish Geology Festival, and autumn courses start soon. Plus some tentative plans for Walking Holidays next spring! https://mailchi.mp/e012d9d20c52/geowalks-in-15924192

25/08/2022

Looking forward to taking part in this year's Scottish Geology Festival, organised by Scottish Geology Trust ... starts 1 September, lots of great events happening across Scotland and online!
https://www.scottishgeologytrust.org/festival/

Scotland’s iconic landscapes and rugged coastlines have been shaped by the elements over countless millennia. The rocks beneath our feet hold the secrets of our planet’s past and this year, the Scottish Geology Festival will host numerous events unlocking these stories. Running from the 1st of S...

12/04/2022

It's the Edinburgh Science Festival and we'll be on local beaches next week sharing the wonderful stories in every beach pebble.
Wednesday 20 April: Wardie Bay
Thursday 21 April: Portobello
Friday 22 April: North Berwick
Saturday 23 April: Dunbar
Each event is 10:00-13:00, free, all welcome - further details here https://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/science-festival-2022/

01/04/2022

Join James Westland for some excellent Mull geology!

Just a heads-up - I will be posting my early summer walks schedule on my website (and here as well of course) this weekend - just got a few details to iron out. First big walk will be Ulva, either 20th or 21st of April and regular Ulva walks after that

Today I am meeting up with Dr John Faithfull and we will be looking at the Ben Buie Gabbro, down Glen More way. Hopefully lots of good stuff later!

Starting at the car park that this pic was taken from

14/03/2022

Happy to do walks like this for any local group, there are plenty of great sites in central Scotland for a good walk and an introduction to some of Scotland's fabulous geological riches!

03/02/2022

25/09/2021

Beach. Pebbles. Sunshine! See you there!

Scotland’s geoheritage is truly remarkable. We’re here to work with communities to promote their local geological sites and help conserve them, for all to discover and enjoy.

26/08/2021

Scottish Geology Festival starts next week! - https://mailchi.mp/c3b4c4d5de7c/geowalks-in-10425482

23/06/2021

Interesting event from the Edinburgh Geological Society, coming up during the Edinburgh Science Festival in early July.

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16/03/2021

Geowalks are back! Delighted to be offering walks for small groups in Edinburgh, starting from next week.
https://www.geowalks.co.uk/guided-walks/