North West Highlands Geopark Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013–2016

This project is being part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Highland Leader 2007–2013 Programme.

(Front cover)

Contents

Title page and preliminaries

Foreword

Rocks from the dawn of time

Introduction

The North West Highlands Geopark

The geology and geological structure of the NWHG

The purpose of the audit and action plan

Geodiversity

Part 1 — The Geodiversity Audit

North West Highland Geopark : Location maps

NWHG Ref. 001 — Ben Hutig

NWHG Ref. 002 — Cleit An t-Seabhaig

NWHG Ref. 003 — Eriboll

NWHG Ref. 004 — An t-Sron

NWHG Ref. 005 — Sango Bay

NWHG Ref. 006 — Faraid Head

NWHG Ref. 007 — Balnakeil

NWHG Ref. 008 — Durness

NWHG Ref. 009 — Sandwood Bay

NWHG Ref. 010 — Foinaven

NWHG Ref. 011 — Loch Laxford

NWHG Ref. 012 — Tarbet To Rubha Ruadh

NWHG Ref. 013 — Badcall

NWHG Ref. 014 — Sithean Mor

NWHG Ref. 015 — Scourie Bay

NWHG Ref. 016 — Scourie Mor

NWHG Ref. 017 — Camas Nam Buth

NWHG Ref. 018 — Glencoul

NWHG Ref. 019 — Loch Drumbeg

NWHG Ref. 020 — Stoer

NWHG Ref. 021 — An Fharaid Mhor — Clachtoll

NWHG Ref. 022 — An Fharaid Mhor

NWHG Ref. 023 — The Laird’s Pool, Lochinver

NWHG Ref. 024 — Skiag Bridge

NWHG Ref. 025 — Beinn Gharbh

NWHG Ref. 026 — Cnoc An Droighinn

NWHG Ref. 027 — Traligill Burn

NWHG Ref. 028 — Traligill Caves

NWHG Ref. 029 — Traligill Valley

NWHG Ref. 030 — Stronchrubie Cliff

NWHG Ref. 031 — Allt Nan Uamh

NWHG Ref. O32 — Creag Nan Uamh Caves

NWHG Ref. 033 — Creag Nan Uamh

NWHG Ref. 034 — Allt Nan Uamh Caves

NWHG Ref. 035 — Bear Cave

NWHG Ref. 036 — Ben More Assynt, Conival And Na Tuadhan

NWHG Ref. 037 — Glen Oykel North

NWHG Ref. 038 — Glen Oykel South

NWHG Ref. 039 — Loch Ailsh Intrusion

NWHG Ref. 040 — Sgonnan Mor, Dubh Loch Beag, Upper Glen Oykel

NWHG Ref. 041 — Luban Croma

NWHG Ref. 042 — Allt Na Cailliche

NWHG Ref. 043 — Loch Borralan Intrusion

NWHG Ref. 044 — Loch Awe Quarry

NWHG Ref. 045 — Cnoc An Leathaid Bhuidhe

NWHG Ref. 046 — Cam Loch Klippe. 94

NWHG Ref. 047 — Creag Na H-Innse Ruaidhe

NWHG Ref. 048 — Cam Loch

NWHG Ref. 049 — Knockan Crag — Moine Thrust Exposure

NWHG Ref. 050 — Loch Sionascaig

NWHG Ref. 051 — Enard Bay

NWHG Ref. 052 — Camas Eilean Ghlais

NWHG Ref. 053 — Rubha Dunan

NWHG Ref. 054 — Achduart

NWHG Ref. 055 — Traigh Allt Chailgeag

NWHG Ref. 056 — Strath Dionard

NWHG Ref. 057 — Loch Glendhu

NWHG Ref. 058 — Suilven.

NWHG Ref. 059 — Quinag (Spidean Coinich, Sail Gharbh, Sail Ghorm)

NWHG Ref. 060 — Stac Pollaidh

NWHG Ref. 061 — Ledmore Esker

NWHG Ref. 062 — Elphin Megagrooves

NWHG Ref. 063 — Stac Fada “Meteorite Site”

NWHG Ref. 064 — Smoo Cave

General sources of further information in relation to The Geodiversity Audit

List of academic references to be used in relation to The Geodiversity Audit

Part 2: Local Geodiversity Action Plan

Action Plan

Foreword

The North West Highlands Geopark (NWHG) became Scotland’s first European Geopark and Global Geopark in 2004. A ‘European Geopark’ is a much sought after status, endorsed by UNESCO (United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and is a clearly defined area with a geological heritage of particular importance in terms of its scientific quality, rarity, aesthetic appeal and educational value.

The first Development and Action Plan for the NWHG was prepared for 2009–2012, with a key objective to promote conservation of the geological heritage. Through the creation of a Geodiversity Audit, an Action Plan could identify priorities and actions for geodiversity within the Geopark area. In 2010, Donald Fisher was employed as GeoRanger with funding from the Highland LEADER programme and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), with the task of preparing this Audit and writing the first Action Plan.

This Audit provides the first comprehensive listing of key sites within the Geopark. It should not be considered an exhaustive listing but the start of documentation of the geodiversity resource. The Audit has been written in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Further comments and guidance have been provided by members of the NWHG Steering Group, which has a range of representation from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. The Action Plan was then created and consultation carried out in a similar manner.

It should be noted though that this version of the Audit and Action Plan has not been circulated for wider stakeholder comment. It therefore has to be regarded as a consultative draft and expresses the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Geopark or any of its partners.

This document identifies actions that indicate how partners could work together to make the most of the area’s geodiversity for education, interpretation and ecotourism. It also identifies where geodiversity requires greater conservation action, particularly where this is under threat.

Thanks are due to all those that have contributed to the production of this document, particularly Maarten Krabbendam and Hugh Baron at BGS, and to Donald Fisher for researching the sites and writing the audit and plan.

Sue Agnew, Operations Officer, Scottish Natural Heritage.

(Figure 2) Rocks from the dawn of time...Simplified Map of North West Highlands Geopark © BGS