WGCG Spring 2021 Newsletter - Flipbook - Page 10
WGCG
Spring 2021 Newsletter
The final full day saw the group heading to a fairly complicated area of cross-cut dykes and conglomerates
for an investigation into a small area of local geology. Unfortunately, we were all so focussed on trying to
work out what had gone on in the area that none of us took any photos of it. We don’t want to reveal the
outcome of our investigation, since it seems that, when we can travel again, this might be an ideal field trip
for WGCG members and an opportunity to work it out for themselves.
Although the journey to Arran is a long one, it is well worth the trip. We were well looked after at the
Lochranza Field Studies Centre, with excellent geology tuition, good food and comfortable accommodation.
Not to mention, for those partial to whisky, the Lochranza Distillery a few minutes’ walk along the road from
the Field Studies Centre. Additionally, I (Deborah) would like to thank Stuart Blake for providing extra
information for this article.
References:
McKerrow, W.S., and Atkins, F.B., 2000 (2nd Edition), Isle of Arran, Geologists’ Association Guide.
McDonald, J.G., 2015, ‘Isle of Arran: Lochranza, North Newton and Cock of Arran’, Geological Society of
Glasgow Excursion Itinerary.
McDonald, J.G., 2015, ‘Isle of Arran: Drumadoon and the Tormore Dykes’, Geological Society of Glasgow
Excursion Itinerary.
www.Arrangeopark.co.uk
Designer’s comments
I was in Lochranza, on an A level geology field trip in April 1964 with 25 others. The poorly written
field notebook still survives, including the results of two days of geological mapping, because it had
to be handed in to the examinations board – although not marked! I did not need it to remember
some of the stunning geology described above and names such as the Drumadoon Sill and have
never been forgotten. We stayed at Lochranza Youth Hostel for two days according to the itinerary
sheet that has also survived. How things have changed! We had to hand our Y.H.A. cards to the
warden which were to be confiscated if ‘the member’s behaviour is below the standard required’.
We were not allowed to bring portable radios on the trip. When the warden at Lochranza told us
that our duties included making a bed, we were surprised to be given pliers and spanners for a
period of spring-stretching. A life interested in geology is a life of opportunities. Happy days!
10