Whitbread, K., Ellen, R., Callaghan, E., Gordon, J. E. and Arkley, S. 2015. East Lothian Geodiversity Audit. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/14/063. 192pp.
ELC_17: Esk Valley
Site information
Location and summary description:
The site comprises a 1 kilometre stretch of gorge along the River Esk near the village of Smeaton. The section extends from Smeaton Bridge in the north to the confluence of the River North Esk and River South Esk, at the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ to the south. The site displays strata from the Middle Coal Measures Formation of the Upper Carboniferous.
National Grid reference:
Mid-point:
South-west end:
North-east end:
Site type: Natural section; Natural exposure
Site ownership: Smeaton Estate
Current use: Private estate
Field surveyors: Sarah Arkley and Eileen Callaghan
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 7th May 2014
Other designations: River Esk Local Biodiversity Site, Smeaton Bridge is a Grade B Listed Structure
Site Maps
Site description
Background
Within East Lothian the River Esk flows from the council boundary just past the A68 and reaches the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh. This locality is the best exposure of the Middle Coal Measures Formation within East Lothian. The surrounding area has been mined for coal and Smeaton Colliery was located a few hundred metres to the south-west of this site in 1854. Also locally there was the Smeaton Brick and Tile Works which exploited the local clay, sand and coal deposits.
Sedimentary rocks
The Middle Coal Measures Formation is a cyclic sequence of white, grey and brown sandstone and siltstone with dark grey mudstone and coals and seatearths. The sandstone and softer siltstone and mudstone are exposed in cliff sections along the west bank of the River Esk
Access and additional information
Access to the River Esk at this locality can be made by parking within the village of Smeaton and crossing the A6094 at Smeaton Lodge. The road can then be followed down to Smeaton Bridge. Even though this is a private estate the area appears used by local dog walkers. A bridle path runs from Smeaton Bridge on the east side of the river to Pickle Dirt on the south side of the A68. The path is a pleasant walk giving access to exposures on the east bank of the River Esk and views to the exposures on the west bank of the River Esk. Two footbridges are marked on the 1:10 000 OS map but neither of these still cross the river,
Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Upper Carboniferous
Formation: Middle Coal Measures Formation
Rock type: Sandstone, siltstone, mudstone with seatearths and coals
Assessment of site: access and safety
Road access and parking Parking can be found in Smeaton but as this is a very small village further parking can be found in Whitecraig. There is a pavement which follows the estate wall along the A6094 southwards towards Smeaton Lodge. The road easily leads down to Smeaton Bridge.
Safety of access Care has to be taken when walking along the A6094, even though there is a good pavement. The bridle path along the River Esk may become slippy in wet weather so care should be taken, stout footwear is recommended. Care should also be taken when near the river particularly when it is in full spate.
Safety of exposure The cliffs are continually eroding, so care should be taken at the base of the cliffs. When viewing the cliffs from the riverbank care should be taken to assess the flow of the River Esk.
Access Access via tracks in open country.
Current condition The rocks are well exposed, especially on the east bank of the river, some faces are covered in vegetation, especially the exposures on the west bank of the river.
Current conflicting activities The site is on a private estate which may allow fishing although no signs or fishermen were seen.
Restricting conditions The land is on a private estate which may restrict visiting although no signs suggesting this were noted.
Nature of exposure River section exposing cliff sections along both banks.
Assessment of site: culture, heritage & economic value
Historic, archaeological & literary associations Smeaton Bridge is a single span sandstone bridge probably built of local stone.bridge and a Grade B listed building.
Aesthetic landscape Pleasant tree lined walk along the River Esk. History of Earth Sciences Note applicable.
Economic geology The Middle Coal Measures in East Lothian have been exploited for their deposits for the past two hundred years, located near to this location were Smeaton Colliery and Smeaton Brick and Tile Works.
Assessment of site: geoscientific merit
| Rarity | Quality | Literature/collections | Primary interest | |
| Lithostratigraphy | Regional | Excellent | X | |
| Sedimentology | Local | Good | ||
| Igneous/mineral/metamorphic geology | ||||
| Structural geology | ||||
| Palaeontology | ||||
| Geomorphology |
Site geoscientific value
This site displays the Middle Coal Measures Formation of the Upper Carboniferous. This is the best locality within East Lothian for seeing rocks of this age.
The River Esk provides an excellent example of the Middle Coal Measures Formation with regional lithostratigraphical significance.
Assessment of site: current site usage
Community The site is easily accessible and is used at present by dog walkers and horse riders.
Education The site displays a variety of features suitable for amateur geologists to study depositional sedimentary environments.
Assessment of site: fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility Weathering/erosion
Potential use The bridle path along the River Esk could be developed as a short trail with on-site interpretation opposite a cliff section on the west bank and also the cliff section on the east bank exposing the coal. Footbridges across the river would enhance access and could connect the site to Dalkeith Country Park. The cliff sections are well exposed and would provide educational opportunities for the study of coal formation.
Geodiversity summary
This site contains good exposures of largely fluvial sedimentary strata of the Middle Coal Measures Formation and is the best site to view these strata in East Lothian. The structures and different lithologies seen at this site help to understand the terrestrial depositional environments of the upper Carboniferous in the Midland Valley.
The walk along the River Esk is attractive, peaceful and easily accessed. There are possibilities for adding geological interpretation to this site.