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 17: Pattie's Bughts, Craigend Muir
Grid reference:
Site type: Artificial quarry works
Site ownership: Not known
Current use: Disused
Field surveyor: Sarah Arkley & Luis Albornoz-Parra
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 10th March 2009
Site map
Summary description
Disused sandstone quarry, formerly used for ?building stone.
The sandstone beds are part of the Craigmaddie Muir Sandstone in the lower part of the Lawmuir Formation.
A number of relatively fresh quarry faces remain, revealing the nature and structure of the sandstone beds. 6 m high quarry faces expose thick-bedded, mostly massive medium- to coarse-grained sandstone. One bed is at least 4m high. The sandstone is quartz-rich, buff coloured with limonite banding when altered.
A number of fallen blocks on the floor of the quarry contain plant material. There are some excellent examples of both Stigmaria and Lepidodendron, representing branches/roots between 5-8 cm thick and a branching Stigmaria specimen which is approximately 45 cm long.
Evidence of the way the sandstone was extracted, selected and transported is gleamed from the vertical cylindrical drill marks in the face, the large waste heaps near the mouth of the quarry, the trackway leading up to the quarry, and the remains of walls and buildings. There are great views to the north towards the Campsie Fells.
Little information can be found regarding when this quarry was worked, but a local resident believes material was used for the construction of Blane Valley Railway Line, immediately north of farm; the stone may well have bee used to build the railway bridges. The Victorians built railway c.1861, so it could be suggested that the quarry was active at that time. The railway is now disused and a new tarmac track has been laid down as a local footpath and cycle track. A previous owner of the quarry who still lives near the site informed us that he was approached in the past about reopening the quarry and a resource assessment was carried out.
EDC 17: Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Lawmuir Formation
Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Strathclyde Group Type
Assessment of site value
Access and safety
Aspect/Description
Road access and parking
Safety of access The walk up the old tramway is pretty wet and wellingtons would be recommended
Safety of exposure Quarry faces appear stable, best fossils are found in discarded blocks in the middle of the quarry
Permission to visit Permission given by the residents of Craigend Farm
Current condition Good
Current conflicting activities None
Restricting conditions None, although exposed if weather is poor
Nature of exposure Quarry faces and railway bridge
Culture, heritage & economic
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 3.
Aesthetic landscape Open moorland with great views across to the Campsie Fells to the north and the Dun Glas, a conspicuous volcanic neck. Rating: 3.
History of earth sciences None known. Rating: 0.
Economic geology Former sandstone quarry used for railway construction. Rating: 3.
EDC 17: Geoscientific merit
Total Geoscientific merit score 30
Current site value
Community Few people probably walk up to the old quarry but the dismantled railway line has been recently tarmaced and seems a popular route with walkers and cyclists. Rating: 5.
Education Good plant fossils, great view and a nice link with the railway line 5 makes this an interesting site. Rating: 5.
Fragility and potential use of the site.
Fragility Over-collecting
Potential use Higher/Further Education, School, On-site Interpretation, Geotrail, Multidisciplinary
Geodiversity value
This site displays some excellent specimens of plant material. However, the main value of the site is the fact that it retains many features of quarrying which are normally lost; you can see evidence for the way quarrymen extracted the stone, worked the stone, transported the stone and then you can look at the railway bridges along the Blane Valley Railway Line to see the final product and application of the stone. Rating: 5.