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From the Glens to Miller: 230 Million Years of Fossil Vertebrates From Scotland's Majestic Highlands and Islands
Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2
As an antidote to the preceding days, this post-meeting trip through Scotland's spectacular geological scenery will visit key Devonian, Permian, Triassic and Jurassic vertebrate localities, as well as sites of historical interest. Heading north along the Glenfinnan steam railway (famous from the Harry Potter movies) from Fort William, we reach the dinosaur localities of the Isle of Skye and Staffin Museum, Scotland's largest collection of native dinosaur remains. From there we head east along the famed 'Road to the Isles' by the shores of Loch Ness, across the Great Glen Fault to Inverness, with a geological tasting tour of some of the classic Scottish whiskies. From the vicinity of Hugh Miller's house and the reptiles and tracks of Elgin, we take in the Middle Devonian fish bed locality at Tynet Burn and then return south over the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms to Scotland's central belt. Here we will experience the renowned Lower Devonian fish localities at Tillywhandland (Turin Hill) and the recently rediscovered Balruddery Den, finishing the tour in the nation's glorious capital of Edinburgh.
During our travels we are likely to see seals, dolphins and Britain's largest extant raptor — the White-Tailed Sea Eagle. Evening presentations will prepare the excursioneers for the following day's encounters. Whisky-tasting will be optional.
Begins: 10 a.m., Monday, September 28. The Railway Station at Fort William
NOTE: Transport from Bristol to Fort William is not included, although currently flights go from Bristol to Glasgow for 21 GBP, and 12 GBP coach fare will take you to Fort William.
Ends: Attendees will be dropped at about 5 p.m. in Edinburgh City Centre, October 2.
Cost includes: Steam locomotive from Fort William to Mallaig; ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (the Isle of Skye); travel on the island; travel to Elgin, Dundee and Edinburgh and localities in between; hotel accommodation for four nights.
Cost does NOT include: Evening meals and onward travel from Edinburgh. Transportation from Bristol to Fort William.
Cost: 535 GBP
Attire and equipment: With unpredictable weather, some exposures can be wet and/or muddy. Waterproof boots (wellies or strong climbing boots) with good grip and waterproof clothing are necessary. Equipment required: a light field hammer; sample bags or boxes for fossil collection; a hand lens. Optional equipment: notebook, camera, etc.. The leaders will carry heavier hammers.
Minimum number of attendees: 30
Maximum number of attendees: 47
Leaders:
| Jeff Liston Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, Scotland jliston@museum.gla.ac.uk +44(0)141 330 4561 |
Carol Hopkins University of Aberdeen, Scotland carol.hopkins@fugro-robertson.com |