EDC 22: Spouthead Burn, Spouthead Farm

Grid reference: [NS 65323 78773]

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

Figure 22: Spouthead Burn Location Map

Summary description

Stream sections up the Spouthead Burn expose a variety of sedimentary and igneous rock types, features and tectonic structures.

The lower part of the site exposes strata belonging to the Lower Limestone Formation. Part way up the site a felsite intrusion forms a waterfall above which lies some strata belong to the Ballagan Formation. The upper part of the site exposes basaltic lava flows of the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation which make up the high ground of the Campsie Fells.

On a clear day there are great views across the valley.

EDC 22: Stratigraphy and rock types

Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Lower Limestone Formation

Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Clackmannan Group Type

Age: Late Carboniferous Formation: Central Scotland Late Carboniferous Tholeiitic Dyke Swarm

Rock type: Olivine-microgabbro and olivine-basalt

Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Ballagan Formation

Rock type: Argillaceous rock, dolostone and sandstone

Age: Carboniferous–Early Permian

Rock type: Felsite Formation: Midland Valley Carboniferous To Early Permian Alkaline Basic Dyke Suite

Assessment of site value

Access and safety

Aspect/Description

Road access and parking Parking at Spouthead Farm with permission from the farmer. Space for a few cars.

Safety of access Head behind the farm and across open fields. Open country above the farm makes for good access, mainly along side the burn

Safety of exposure Care should be taken near the waterfall over the felsite intrusion

Permission to visit Permission given by farmer at Spouthead Farm

Current condition Okay, some of the outcrops in the burn are small

Current conflicting activities None

Restricting conditions None, but fairly 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 Open country, stream section with some waterfalls and views southwards. Rating: 3.

History of earth sciences None known. Rating: 0.

Economic geology None recorded. Rating: 0.

EDC 22: Geoscientific merit

EDC 22: Spouthead Burn, Spouthead Farm. Geoscientific merit.

Total Geoscientific merit score 25

Current site value

Community. Rating: 3.

Education. Rating: 4.

Fragility and potential use of the site

Fragility Erosion

Permission to visit School

Geodiversity value

The main value of this site is the presence of the felsite intrusion and the cementstone beds belonging to the Ballagan Formation.. Rating: 4.

Photographs

(Photo 129) View looking N up the Spouthead Burn. The waterfall in the foreground is caused by a more resistant sandstone bed within the Lower Limestone Formation sedimentary sequence. The main waterfall in the distance is formed from an igneous intrusion.

(Photo 130) Close-up of the fine-grained, pale-coloured felsite which is found at the main waterfall in the Spouthead Burn. The felsite forms one of a number of igneous intrusions in the area.

(Photo 131) The felsite intrusion forms a prominent scarp along the hillside. Looking N.

(Photo 132) A cementstone bed from the Ballagan Formation can be observed in the burn above the waterfall. Looking NNE.

(Photo 133) Basaltic rocks belonging to the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation, found in the upper part of the Spouthead Burn.

Bibliography