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 30: Craigen Glen, Balgrochan
Grid reference:
Site type: Natural section
Site ownership: Not known
Current use: Open country
Field surveyor: Sarah Arkley & Mike Browne
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 6th April 2009
Site map
Summary description
Stream section through sedimentary strata belonging to the Lower Limestone Formation and Lawmuir Formation.
Lower part of site displays evidence of former workings; disturbed landscape, burnt mudstone bings, etc. Exposures up the burn are generally on the bank sides, which vary in accessibility and quality. Possible adit was seen approximately half way up the site on the eastern bank beneath a thick sandstone bed.
The Craigenglen Beds, found in the upper part of the Lawmuir Formation, form a marine band within laminated mudstones which are noted for their fossils of brachiopods, molluscs, large productoids and corals (Hall, 1998)
EDC 30: Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Lower Carboniferous Formation: Lower Limestone Formation
Rock type: Sedimentary Rock Cycles of the Clackmannan Group Type
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 Parking for one car at the crossroad of tracks southwest of the site. A footpath is signed from here to the burn and styles exist over fences. At the burn the path disappears and you need to find your way up a wooded stream
Safety of access Access to the lower part of the glen where there is evidence of old workings is good. Access to the upper part is more difficult with lots of new barbed wire fences in the way.
Safety of exposure Care should be taken on slimy rocks in the stream, especially on the smooth rock platform below the waterfall.
Permission to visit No permission sought
Current condition Okay, bit overgrown in places
Current conflicting activities None
Restricting conditions Barbed wire fences
Nature of exposure Stream section, exposures are seen with in the burn and bank sides
Culture, heritage & economic
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 0.
Aesthetic landscape Pleasant. Rating: 3.
History of earth sciences Members of the Glasgow Geological Society visited here early in the history of the society on their first field excursion.. Rating: 3.
Economic geology Some workings, waste piles remain. Rating: 2.
EDC 30: Geoscientific merit
Total Geoscientific merit score 27
Current site value
Community. Rating: 9.
Education. Rating: 5.
Fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility Natural overgrowing
Potential use Research, Higher/Further Education, School, Multidisciplinary
Geodiversity value
This site displays a number of sedimentary features and industrial remains and is one of only a few localities where the marine band (Craigenglen Beds) is exposed. Historically the site was first visited by Glasgow Geological Society in 1858 and was famous then for its fossils of marine shells. Rating: 5./p>