Geological Society of Glasgow

Guided tour of the Glasgow Life geology collection
2024-04-30 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London)
Leader
Ann Ainsworth, Curator of Geology
Summary
This small intimate guided tour of the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (storage facility) near Nitshill in Glasgow, G53 7NN, lasting around an hour, is an opportunity to see behind the scenes and view geology specimens not currently on display in the museums.
Capacity
Limited to 10 members.
Facilities
Indoors and easily accessible for all.
Toilet facilities on site.
Price
£5
Travel
Own travel. Meet at the resource centre at 1.45 pm. There is free parking at the resource centre, which is a 10 min walk from Nitshill train station.
Please contact excursions@gsocg.org for car-share arrangements.

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Geo-natter
2024-05-08 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-05-22 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-05 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-19 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-08-07 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-08-21 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-09-04 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-09-18 13:30 - 15:00 and 3 more dates | Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AW, United Kingdom
These informal meetings are the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded rock enthusiasts and chat about all things geological and palaeontological!
A chance to look at rocks and fossils, get your own specimens identified, ask questions about geology and find out what’s happening locally. Tea and coffee provided.

Members' Night
2024-05-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Lecture Theatre, Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AW, United Kingdom
The last evening meeting of the session will include the follolwing short presentations.
Angus Miller. The Scottish Geology Trust’s Geosites project
Scotland has over 1000 sites that are designated as important for geology and geomorphology at a national or local level, but the value and importance of these sites is often not recognised, it is hard to find information about them and systematic monitoring is under-resourced.
The Scottish Geology Trust’s Geosites project aims to bring information about all these sites together in one place, to make it easy for people to report issues with sites, and to share information. Working with partners, we propose to support a network of volunteers to visit sites and become ambassadors, available to help engage with local communities in learning and benefiting from their local geoheritage.
Ella Davis. Determining tectonic transport directions in the southern part of the Northern Highlands Terrain, Scotland
Ella is an MS student at Virginia Tech in the USA. She recently received a grant of £1000 from the society to help her with field work in northern Scotland, and she will give a presentation to us on her findings. The objective of her study was to determine the tectonic transport direction, shear senses and deformation temperatures in the southern part of the Northern Highland Terrain (NHT) of Scotland using optical microscopy-based petrologic, microstructural, and crystal fabric analyses. Previous studies have demonstrated that in the northern part of the NHT, tectonic transport changed from top to the north at 450-440 Ma in the high temperature core of the orogen to top to the west along the western foreland margin at 435 Ma (Law et al., 2021). However, no equivalent studies have been made of the southern NHT.

The Garvellachs
2024-05-10 16:00 - 2024-05-13 17:00
Leaders: Tony Spencer & David Webster
Field days: Saturday/Sunday/Monday
Geological Background
The Garvellach islands expose a magnificent section of the glacial Neoproterozoic Port Askaig Formation. Although part of the Dalradian, it is relatively undeformed and contains an extraordinary amount of glacial features including spectacular glaciotectonic “rafts” as well as a sequence at the base recording the transitional onset of glaciation at the start of the Cryogenian – 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 (or doesn’t) with that model. We will aim to have one day on each of the three main islands in the archipelago.
No of participants: 10 maximum
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Cuan Ferry 4pm. Boat to Lunga, dinner provided
Day 2. Boat trip Lunga to Garvellachs & return. Self-service breakfast/lunch. Dinner provided
Day 3. As above
Day 4. Boat trip Lunga to Garvellachs in morning & return to Cuan Ferry approx. 5pm.
Self service breakfast/lunch.
All weather dependent.
Transport to/from Cuan Ferry: Responsibility of participants
Accommodation
Rubha Fiola field centre on Lunga. Rudimentary Youth Hostel type accommodation. Dormitory rooms with bunks, some smaller rooms with beds. Off grid with battery powered lighting/phone charging. Sea toilet and solar hot water.
Personal Equipment
Sleeping bags, towels, head torch, helmet, gloves
Food
A variety of breakfast and lunch supplies will be available for DIY preparation. Dinner will be provided by centre staff.
Fitness/Agility
Ability to get in/out of small boats, including transfers from the larger boat to a smaller landing craft onto potentially slippery rocks.
Terrain
Walking on rough ground and rocky coasts without paths, but distances are relatively short.
Cost
Approx. £330 (including all boat trips, accommodation, food and leaders’ expenses).
This excursion is now fully booked. If you would like to go on the reserve list then please email the society’s secretary.

National Museums Collections Centre tour (with optional visit to Granton shore)
2024-05-15 10:00 - 12:30
Location
National Museums Collection Centre, 242 West Granton Road, Granton, Edinburgh, EH5 1JA
Leaders
Dr Andrew Ross and Dr Rachel Walcott
Summary
A fantastic chance to visit both the Palaeobiology and Earth Systems collections held in the National Museums Scotland (NMS) specialist facility. We will split into 2 groups and spend around an hour in each of the sections.
A) We will meet Dr Andrew Ross and the experts of the Palaeobiology team and be taken on a guided tour of some of the most amazing fossil specimens found here in Scotland and further afield which are held in the secure stores of the NMS. Many of the specimens here have never been on show to the general public!
B) We will then have a fascinating guided tour with Dr Rachel Walcott and the team of experts in the the Earth Systems collections which covers a range of material; rocks, ores, minerals, meteorites and gems, International and Scottish, from the systematic and historical collections.
We have been specially invited to request particular items to be made available for us to view. Please send any suggestions to excursions@gsocg.org.
Guidance
This is an indoor event with disabled access and toilet facilities on site.
Difficulty
Level 1: Multiaccess. Suitable for all users including people with reduced mobility.
Travel
Own transport; please contact excursions@gsocg.org for car sharing arrangements.
By train: to Edinburgh Waverley Station, then walk to Leith Street and take the No 8 bus to West Granton Road.
By bus: Citylink service No. 900 to Waverley station then as above.
Price
£5
Granton shore 12.30 pm (optional extra)
At the end of the museum visit you can either head home; or if you would like to join us for the afternoon we will have lunch at Granton shore followed by a walk to examine the rocks and fossils on the foreshore guided by Dr Neil Clark and Dr Katie Strang. This will finish at around 3.30 pm.
Guidance
This will be a short walk on the rocky shoreline on uneven, slippery terrain; stout walking boots with good ankle support recommended. Packed lunch required.

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Fossil Grove Open Afternoon
2024-05-19 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-16 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-21 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-18 12:00 - 16:00 | Fossil Grove, 51 Victorial Park Drive South, Glasgow, G14 9QR, United Kingdom
This event will consist of tours of the Fossil House and the quarry and activities for children.

Pentland Hills
2024-05-25 08:30 - 18:30
Leader
Gary Hoare
Summary
Setting off at 10 am from the Carlops carpark (just off the A702 in Carlops village, EH26 9NH), we will visit the Deerhope burn area, where we will examine fossils dating back to the Silurian period, and a further location around 200 m away. There will be a chance to see and/or collect a few sample fossils including trilobites, brachiopods, nautiloids, corals and crinoids. We will follow the Scottish Fossil Code at all times and collecting will only be allowed from loose rocks or scree. Goggles are highly recommended and geological hammers only will be permitted. There is a fairly strenuous walk of around 2 miles to reach the destination with 1.5 miles uphill on farm track then over marshy ground/scrub. There are two barbed wire fences to cross. Any samples collected also need to be carried back to vehicles. We will return to the car park at around 5 pm.
Guidance
We recommend wearing sturdy walking boots with good grip and foot and ankle support. Wear appropriate clothing to account for Scottish weather changes (i.e. bring waterproofs!).
A packed lunch will be required.
A comfort stop will be provided with toilet facilities and tea/coffee and snacks are available at the Esso garage on the A702 just after leaving the city by-pass (A720) both before arrival and after leaving Carlops in the evening.
There are no toilet facilities at the locality.
Travel
16 seat minibus leaving the Molema Building at 8:30 am, returning around 6:30 pm.
Difficulty
Level 4: Strenuous. Suitable for people accustomed to walking rough trails and with a good level of fitness.
Price
Members: £25; non-members: £35
Please note that the price stated also applies if you take your own transport to the locality. This is the only fair way to guarantee your place as the number of participants on trips is limited. Please let us know if you intend to take your own transport to ensure that we know who to expect at the departure point.

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Fossil Grove Open Afternoon
2024-06-08 12:00 - 16:00 | Fossil Grove, 51 Victorial Park Drive South, Glasgow, G14 9QR, United Kingdom
This event will consist of tours of the Fossil House and the quarry and activities for children.
This is an extra open afternoon, being held as part of the Victoria Park Community Trust Family Fun Day.

Innellan & Dunoon
2024-06-15 08:30 - 19:30
Leader
Keith Torrance
Summary
On this full day excursion we will travel by coach to the SE Cowal coast, taking in the very picturesque scenery on route. We will look at the relationships between the Dalradian metamorphic rocks of the Highlands, the rocks associated with the Highland Boundary Fault, and the younger sedimentary fill of the adjacent Midland Valley. All these rocks are present in coastal exposures within a relatively short distance with stops in Dunoon, Innellan and Toward. All of the sites to be visited are on the shore and are easily accessed from the main road. The terrain on the shore is uneven and possibly slippery in places. Many exposures are beach outcrops up to 3 m in height.
Guidance
Participants should wear suitable, stout footwear with good grip to protect feet and ankles. Care should be taken when descending from the road to the foreshore.
A packed lunch will be required. Snacks are available from the community shop in Innellan.
Public Toilets are available in Innellan and at Sandy Beach.
Travel
53 seater coach leaving Molema Building at 8:30 am and returning around 7:30 pm. A toilet is available on the coach.
Difficulty
Level 2: Easy. Suitable for all levels of fitness; short walking distances.
Price
Members: £25; non-members: £35
Please note that the price stated also applies if you take your own transport to the locality. This is the only fair way to guarantee your place as the number of participants on trips is limited. Please let us know if you intend to take your own transport to ensure that we know who to expect at the departure point.

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Spireslack open-cast mine
2024-07-06 09:00 - 17:00
Leaders
Graham Leslie & Mike Brown
Summary
A visit to Spireslack and Mainshill Wood surface coal mines to examine spectacular exposures of Carboniferous strata on a scale not seen anywhere else in the United Kingdom. There is a moderate walk of around 2.5 miles to reach the mine with regular intervals to stop and look at the geology along the way. There are loose scree slopes which could be slippy.
Guidance
Hard Hats and walking boots essential
Sturdy walking boots with good grip and foot and ankle support are needed. Wear appropriate clothing to account for Scottish weather changes (i.e. bring waterproofs!).
Limited hammering may be permitted by the leaders, using geological hammers only; eye protection strongly recommended.
A packed lunch will be required.
Travel
16 seat minibus leaving the Molema Building at 9:00 am, returning around 5 pm.
We will be setting off at 10:30 am from Glenbuck Heritage village, Muirkirk KA18 3SB (limited parking);
returning to coach around 3:30 pm
Facilities
Toilets are not available on site. There is a cafe in Muirkirk, 8 min drive from Glenbuck village.
Difficulty
Level 3: Moderate. Suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness.
Price
Members: £25; non-members: £35
Please note that the price stated also applies if you take your own transport to the locality. This is the only fair way to guarantee your place as the number of participants on trips is limited. Please let us know if you intend to take your own transport to ensure that we know who to expect at the departure point.

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Longniddry to Aberlady shore
2024-08-24 10:00 - 16:00
This is a joint field trip organised by the Edinburgh Geological Society and is an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends and new faces from the east of Scotland.
Leader
Mark Wilkinson, University of Edinburgh
Summary
The shoreline from Longniddry Bents to Aberlady Point exposes the top of the Aberlady Formation and the overlying Lower Limestone Formation, into which is intruded the Gosford Bay Sill. This excursion is intended primarily to illustrate the cyclic pattern of the sedimentation of Carboniferous (Dinantian) rocks exposed between Craigielaw Point and Aberlady Point.
BGS Ref: https://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Gosford_Bay-Aberlady_Point,_Edinburgh_-_an_excursion
As part of an age old tradition between EGS and GSG, after the walk you will be invited to join the group for high tea somewhere local (details to follow).
Guidance
We recommend wearing sturdy walking boots with good grip and foot and ankle support. Wear appropriate clothing to account for Scottish weather changes, i.e. bring waterproofs! A packed lunch will be required. If you bring a dog it must be kept on a lead at all times.
Difficulty
Level 3: Moderate. Suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness; c 12 km walk. There are some good paths, but some of the walk is on trackless, bouldery or rocky coastline.
Travel
Private car to the Longniddry Bents car park #3, NT 422776 (note there are three car parks). Please email excursions@gsocg.org if you would like to car share or need a lift.
Facilities
There are public toilets in Longniddry Bents #3 car park.
This is a free event but you will need to book a place for each person attending as places are limited.

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Scottish Geology Festival
2024-09-01 19:00 - 2024-10-06 19:00 | Online and various venues
Scotland’s iconic landscapes and rugged coastlines are the product of more than 3000 million years of evolution. The rocks beneath our feet have sculpted our country’s culture, heritage and industry, creating this special place we call home.
The Scottish Geology Festival is an opportunity to uncover the stories hidden within Scotland’s rocks through guided walks, online talks, beach pebble events, geological exhibitions and more. We hope to see you at an event soon!
Further details, including a full list of events, can be found on the Scottish Geology Trust website.

Dunure beach pebble event
2024-09-07 10:00 - 14:00
Leader
Dr Neil Clark
Summary
A chance to bring the family along if you wish or to come by yourself to enjoy a fun day out examining beach pebbles and agates and learn more about the geology of this Ayrshire coastal location. Dr Clark and other rock doctors will give out information on local rocks, and then there will be a chance to have a hunt for your own interesting finds on the beach where the rock doctors will be on hand to help identify and give more information on any rocks you find.
Travel
Own transport. Parking on-site at Kennedy Park £2.50 per vehicle; toilets, picnic benches and children’s play areas available here.
Please contact excursions@gsocg.org for car-share arrangements.
Facilities
Harbour with cafe, gift shop, pub and toilets 5-10 minutes walk from event.
Difficulty
Level 2: Easy. All levels of fitness and suitable for family groups including children and the elderly.
Price
This is a free event but, to allow us to plan ahead, can you please book a place for each person?

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Greenland mapping project
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Lecture Room 407, Boyd Orr Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QW, United Kingdom
Greenland Research Group, University of St Andrews
Undergraduate geology students from the University of St Andrews undertook six weeks of mapping in Qassiarsuk, studying various structures and igneous phenomena for their dissertations. They didn’t just experience fascinating geology but had a proper adventure, from close calls with polar bears, glacial walks and backcountry mountain huts. They thank all their sponsors and particularly the Geological Society of Glasgow for helping them partake in such a magnificent opportunity and are looking forward to sharing their findings with the GSG community.

Rock Docs at the Hunterian Museum
2024-09-28 12:00 - 16:00 | Hunterian Museum, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
Come along and join the fun!

Get your rocks/fossils identified by an expert.
Make your own ammonite.
Take part in a dinosaur quiz.
Make a fossil rubbing.
See the famous Bearsden Shark.
Come early and take home a real fossil!

This event is part of the Scottish Geology Festival.

Climate and carbon – control or catastrophe?
2024-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Lecture Room 407, Boyd Orr Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QW, United Kingdom
Professor Stuart Haszeldine, University of Edinburgh
Scotland and the UK were cradles of the industrial revolution – built on low cost coal energy creating vast wealth and empire. But since the 1850s and 1930s, and certainly from the 1970s, it has been clear that huge emissions of CO2 from burning fossil fuels are driving global heating, creating ocean acidification, causing sea level rise and accelerating dangerous climate change. Combating that requires: greatly decreased use of fossil carbon, capturing all CO2 released by use of fossil carbon, and replacing all possible CO2 into permanent geological storage. Features of UK offshore geological storage sites will be explained, and can mimic hydrocarbon accumulations. But achieving this at industrial scales of tens of millions tonnes CO2 per year in Scotland and Europe will require commercialisation equivalent to the present North Sea oil industry. Many successful pilot tests have been made, and recent legal victories in UK courts may now presage compulsory storage enacted on coal, oil and gas company producers. The weakest link remains the timidity of global governments to disturb the profitable status-quo, for harder to explain benefits in the 30, 100 and 10,000 year future.
Complete success is possible, but unlikely.
References
Haszeldine, R.S., 2009. Carbon capture and storage: how green can black be? Science, 325 (5948), 1647-1652 (open access). DOI: 10.1126/science.1172246
Hudson, M., 2024. Carbon Capture and Storage in the United Kingdom. Routledge.
Tucker, O., 2018. Carbon Capture & Storage. DOI: 10.1088/978-0-7503-1581-4 (e-book).
Stuart studied geology at the University of Edinburgh, then did a PhD on coal geology at the University of Strathclyde with Roger Anderton. Instead of working on post-doctoral study, he was employed by the British National Oil Corporation in Glasgow for 3 years. Then he returned to teaching and research at Strathclyde, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The first half of his career was helping to produce fossil carbon out of the North Sea. The second half was developing the research to show that CO2 derived from burning fossil carbon could be safely stored deep below the seabed, leading many of the first surveys and investigations of feasibility to create a new industry in Scotland.
The third half of his career has been to investigate large geological storage of hydrogen, removal of CO2 from air with biochar and basalt, and trying to convince UK and Scottish governments to fund the projects of carbon capture and storage they like to support.

"The abyss gazes also into you": exploring the deepest oceans
2024-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Lecture Room 407, Boyd Orr Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QW, United Kingdom
Associate Professor Heather Stewart, Minderoo-University of Western Australia Deep-Sea Research Centre
The deepest parts of the ocean are one of the final remaining frontiers of discovery on our planet. Much of the deep ocean is unmapped and draws in explorers, scientists, cartographers and environmentalists, keen to discover its secrets. Underwater seascapes, comparable in size and complexity to our known continents, unknown ecosystems and processes that defy study from the surface means there are many gaps in our knowledge that science is hoping to fill. Due to the challenges of research at even moderate depths, almost every expedition venturing below 3000 m throws up a surprise. Heather has been lucky enough to participate in a number of expeditions to explore the deepest seafloors and will share some of what these diverse expedition teams have learned.
Heather is deputy director of the Minderoo-University of Western Australia Deep-Sea Research Centre and director of Kelpie Geoscience. She has over 20 years of experience in multidisciplinary marine research and exploration, with a focus on characterising the geology and physical character of the seabed and sub-seabed, and has participated in more than 35 marine expeditions globally. Heather is lead geologist for the Inkfish Open Ocean Program, which brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers to make our view of the deep ocean sharper than ever before.
