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 21: Burniebrae Burn, Shields Farm
Grid reference:
Site type: Natural section
Site ownership: Not known
Current use: Open country
Field surveyor: Sarah Arkley & Luis Albornoz-Parra
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 13th March 2009
Site map
Summary description
Stream sections up the Burnibrae Burn expose a variety of sedimentary and igneous rock types, features and tectonic structures.
The lower part of the site exposes Limestone Coal Formation and the Lower Limestone Formation strata. The upper part of the site exposes the faulted contact of the sedimentary rocks with lavas of the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation which make up the high ground of the Campsie Fells.
The Top Hosie Limestone crops out in the burn at the southern end of the site and a section through the overlying dark mudstones is exposed in the bank sides.
A series of waterfalls along the burn expose excellent sections through sedimentary cycles of the Limestone Coal Formation, typically displaying dark-coloured mudstones at the base, passing upwards into siltstones, with a thick unit of sandstone at the top forming the lip of the waterfall. The repeated sedimentary cycles in the geological sequence has created an equal number of waterfalls as the burn flows down over the sequence.
Towards the northern end of the site, the Campsie Fault, trending ESE-WNW, cuts across the burn. The fault brings the sedimentary rocks described above into contact with the lava flows belonging to the much older Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation. The composition and nature of these two rock types is very different and expressed by the presence of a large waterfall, the sedimentary rocks have been preferentially eroded by ice and water.
EDC 21: Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Upper Carboniferous Formation: Limestone Coal Formation
Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Clackmannan Group Type
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Top Hosie Limestone, Lower Limestone Formation
Rock type: Limestone
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Lower Limestone Formation
Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Clackmannan Group Type
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation
Rock type: Tuff and agglomerate
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation
Rock type: Microporphyritic basalt
Assessment of site value
Access and safety
Aspect/Description
Road access and parking Parked at Shields Farm, space for a few cars with farmers permission
Safety of access Track goes eastwards through Shields Farm and crosses Burniebrae Burn. Access is possible along the burn itself in most places, waterfalls can be by- passed by grassy slopes either side. Open hillside either side of the burn allows good access.
Safety of exposure Care should be taken near the waterfalls and if the ground is wet the grassy slopes can be quite slippery.
Permission to visit Permission granted by farmer at Shields Farm
Current condition Good
Current conflicting activities None
Restricting conditions None, bit exposed in poor weather
Nature of exposure Stream and bank side exposures
Culture, heritage & economic
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 0
Aesthetic landscape Nice open country on the edge of the Campsie Fells, nice stream section with numerous good waterfalls and views southwards. Rating: 5
History of earth sciences None known. Rating: 0
Economic geology None recorded. Rating: 0
EDC 21: Geoscientific merit
Total Geoscientific merit score 55
Current site value
Community Rating: 4.
Education Rating: 5.
Fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility None
Potential use Higher/Further Education, School, Geotrail, Multidisciplinary
Geodiversity value
The main value of this site is the high quality and number of sections exposed up the burn, through a variety of sedimentary and igneous rocks, and the well-exposed nature of the Campsie Fault. In particular, the exposures of the Limestone Coal Formation are important in the East Dunbartonshire context. Rating: 8.