Arkley, S. L. B., Browne, M. A. E., Albornoz-Parra, L. J. and Barron, H. F. 2011. East Dumbartonshire Geodiversity Audit. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/09/19. 265pp.
EDC 5: Meltwater Channel, Cadder
Grid reference:
Site type: Natural landform
Site ownership: Not known
Current use: Agricultural land
Field surveyor: Sarah Arkley & Luis Albornoz-Parra
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 5th March 2009
Site map
Summary description
Glacial meltwater channel, orientated ENE–WSW. Channel carved out by meltwater from a retreating glacier. 'U'-shaped, linear depression in agricultural farmland, approx 10 m deep, 50 m across and 1 km long. Interpreted as a glacial meltwater channel cut into glacial till. Formed as the ice retreated back to the north and west and meltwater shed off the front of the glaciers. Southern margin of the pre-glacial channel of the Kelvin passes near here, confirmed by boreholes.
EDC 5: Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Pleistocene Formation: Wilderness Till Formation
Rock type: Glacial deposits: diamicton
Assessment of site value
Access and safety
Aspect/Description
Road access and parking Either park in a layby 700 m ENE of the site by Leafield Cottage or may be able to park in the golf range located 100 m SE of the site.
Safety of access Located within agricultural fields but a tree belt dissecting the channel at right angles allows good access into the channel
Safety of exposure Undulating fields, muddy feet would probably be the worst that could happen
Permission to visit No permission sought
Current condition Good, best channel definition seen when crops are very young or fields are ploughed.
Current conflicting activities Ploughing will over time 'smooth out' the channel
Restricting conditions Time of year; crop height
Nature of exposure Natural landform
Culture, heritage & economic
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 0.
Aesthetic landscape Mainly farmland. Distinctive landform. Rating: 2.
History of earth sciences None known. Rating: 0.
Economic geology None recorded. Rating: 0.
EDC 5: Geoscientific merit
Total Geoscientific merit score 11
Current site value
Community Farmer is probably the only person to go into the fields where 5 the channel lies, but there is a golf range to the south of the field and a main road (with footpath) to the north. Rating: 5.
Education Good example of a linear meltwater channel, extending over 100's of metres, with other glacial features and sediments nearby a glacial story could be developed. Rating: 5.
Fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility None
Potential use School, on-site interpretation, multidisciplinary
Geodiversity value
Meltwater channels record the retreat of the last glaciers following a period of glaciation. They illustrate the youngest event in the geological history of the area. Although there are many examples across Scotland, this type of landform is relatively rare in East Dunbartonshire and this site displays one of the best examples. Its geodiversity value is enhanced on account of its relative rarity in East Dunbartonshire. Rating: 3.