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 9: Craigdhu Burn, Bearsden
Grid reference:
Site type: Natural exposure
Site ownership: Not known
Current use: Urban
Field surveyor: Sarah Arkley & Luis Albornoz-Parra
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 6th March 2009
Site map
Summary description
Geological exposures along a tributary of the Craigdhu Burn no longer exist. The burn is now piped underground and exposures have been covered.
The geological map records exposures through the sedimentary strata of the Limestone Coal Formation which contained fossils of the brachiopod 'Lingula' (a marine shell). But no exposures of bedrock are now visible. Where the burn is flowing on the surface to E and W of the recorded exposures, it cuts through glacial till, no bedrock was found.
A second recorded bedrock exposure (on the geological map) describes a 10" coal seam, possibly the Kilsyth Coking Coal, about 60m SE (downstream) of the confluence with the Craigdhu Burn. However, the riverbank where the section is thought to exist is very degraded and vegetated.
Farther west of the recorded exposures, a small burns joins the tributary, the water is very iron-rich and forms deposits on pebbles in the base of the burn - ?mine water.
EDC 9: Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Upper Carboniferous Formation: Limestone Coal Formation
Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Clackmannan Group Type
Assessment of site value
Access and safety
Aspect/Description
Road access and parking Street parking in the housing estate to the south of the site
Safety of access Public footpath along course of the burn, housing to the south of the burn, farmland to the north. Dense shrubs along course of burn
Safety of exposure Beware of thorny shrubs if looking for any remaining outcrops
Permission to visit No permission sought
Current condition No geology sections exist anymore – burn is now piped underground
Current conflicting activities 'Improved' water course management
Restricting conditions Concrete pipe and soil
Nature of exposure Stream sections were previously recorded
Culture, heritage & economic
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 0.
Aesthetic landscape Located along boundary between housing estate and farmland. Rating: 2.
History of earth sciences None known. Rating: 0.
Economic geology None recorded. Rating: 0.
EDC 9: Geoscientific merit
Total Geoscientific merit score. Rating: 0.
Current site value
Community Frequent use by local residents. Rating: 10
Education Site was chosen for it's exposure of fossil shells – these should still exist under there. Rating:2.
Fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility None
Potential use None
Geodiversity value
Unfortunately the exposures displaying Carboniferous fossils for which this site was chosen are no longer visible. But this site has been included as an example of what could happen to a number of other good sites displaying East Dunbartonshire's rich geodiversity if there is not appropriate protection in place. Rating: 0.