Carboniferous limestones, fossils, lavas and tuffs

A visit to the Museum of Lead Mining with a tour underground to the eighteenth century Lochnell Mine. We are also going out to pan for gold in the local streams.

Exploring the igneous complexes that were formed in the final stages of the closure of the Iapetus Ocean in the Silurian period.

Important aspects of the early Ordovician Ballantrae Ophiolite Complex, late Ordovician and early Silurian greywacke and conglomerate; late Ordovician reef limestone and Caledonian folding; and possibly the pillow lavas at Downan Point.

A joint excursion with the Edinburgh Geological Society to examine the rocks around the Highland Boundary Fault and gain some understanding of why there has been considerable controversy over the geological history of this zone

Sandstone and other sedimentary rocks laid down in river deltas, swamps and sea in the Carboniferous period and evidence of the Quaternary glaciation

An opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre and view geology specimens not currently on display

A magnificent section of the glacial Neoproterozoic Port Askaig Formation with a sequence at the base which is a prime candidate for a global “golden spike” or GSSP. We will discuss the concept of snowball earth and assess how the succession here fits with that model.

A fantastic chance to visit both the Palaeobiology and Earth Systems collections held in the National Museums Scotland specialist facility.

A chance to see fossils dating back to the Silurian period, including trilobites, brachiopods, nautiloids, corals and crinoids