Geowalks

27/02/2025

I'm giving a talk on Thursday 20 March, 6pm for Edinburgh World Heritage. "Edinburgh, geology city". Guess what it's about! Hope to see you there.

24/02/2025

A tale of two local paths and how they are coping with winter. It's a tough time of year to be a path. Weeks of cold and wet conditions, and no chance of grass growing. Exhibit 1, heavily used path up Arthur's Seat on Saturday. Not pleasant or good for your health. Exhibit 2, Roslin Glen in Midlothian. Which would you rather walk on?

27/01/2025

I'm back in a grey after 5 weeks in the Caribbean. But great to be sharing Holyrood Park with Heriot Watt geography undergrads, so much to explore in the physical and human landscapes, all connected to of course!

28/12/2024

Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat - this is my first time back in Montserrat since 1997, it is quite breathtaking to see how the volcano has changed after years of lava dome growth and collapse. But also great to see how the nation has survived the volcano crisis and many good things happening, even if many challenges remain.

06/11/2024

You've brought your fireworks to the beach, you've had your fun, you've scared the wildlife. Is it really too much to ask that you take the debris away with you? (Apologies for the uncharacteristic grumpy post, don't know what's come over me today.)

04/11/2024

Great to be out exploring one of Edinburgh's Seven Hills, thanks for the invite!

30/10/2024

Good morning from Siccar Point. Every day should start with some quiet contemplation of deep time, to put things in perspective!

12/10/2024

Moine metamorphic rocks, Arisaig. I feel so at home on these rocks in a way that I can't quite explain. Built up in layers through my life: many visits as a child; the place I really started to get interested in geology; further visits as a student and then with my own family. Interesting looking island in the distance too, must visit sometime 😜.

10/09/2024

It's a bright and breezy morning, one of these days that it is a delight to work here! Might be a bit windy on top of Arthur's Seat though.

30/08/2024

Woohoo look what's come through the door, this will become well thumbed over the next few years/decades; looks great, absolutely packed with up to date science and information.

26/08/2024

Exciting plans, this will be great!

Representatives of head to IGC Busan this week to promote their bid to host the 38th International Geological Congress in Glasgow in 2028.

We have been working with British Geological Survey and Scottish Geology Trust to prepare. Our vision for the 38th International Geological Congress is to create a forum to share breaking science and the breadth of expertise across global geoscience, especially where they relate to the great societal challenges of our time.

For more information visit https://igc2028glasgow.org/
IGC 2028 Glasgow

23/08/2024

Siccar Point looking glorious today. If you've only ever seen it in a textbook you might not realise the extent and interest of the site, definitely worth a visit!

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