Whitbread, K., Ellen, R., Callaghan, E., Gordon, J. E. and Arkley, S. 2015. East Lothian Geodiversity Audit. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/14/063. 192pp.
ELC_14: Kilspindie Shore
Site information
Location and summary description:
The site comprises a 2.2 km section of coastline located to the north-west of the town of Aberlady between Aberlady Point and Green Craig. This coastal section exposes the boundary between the Clackmannan Group and the Strathclyde Group of the Dinantian age (early Carboniferous). Limestones from both groups are exposed along this coastal section. The Gosford Sill, a younger intrusive igneous rock is also exposed at the western section of the site.
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East-end:
Site type: Natural section/exposure; Natural landform; Natural view
Site ownership: Crown
Current use: Open Country, edge of golf courses
Field surveyors: Rachael Ellen and Eileen Callaghan
Current geological designations: Part of Firth of Forth SSSI
Date visited: 26th August 2014
Other designations: Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar, Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve
Site map
Site description
Background
The Kilspindie Shore site encompasses the western part of Aberlady Bay and the northern area of Gosford Bay. The site is located to the north-west of the town of Aberlady. The 2.2 km section contains limestones of the Clackmannan Group: the Hurlet, the Blackhall and the Inchinnan, as well as the Blackbyre Limestone belonging to the Strathclyde Group. The Gosford Bay Sill which is exposed at the western end of the site is younger in age and is composed of analcime gabbro (dolerite). These exposures are best seen at low tide.
Sedimentary rocks
The oldest rocks exposed on the Kilspindie Shore site belong to the Strathclyde Group, and are found to the west of the site. These strata comprise siliciclastic rocks of the Aberlady Formation; interbedded pale cream sandstone, siltstones and mudstones with subordinate coal, seatrock, limestones and ironstone. These strata were deposited in a variable environment characterised by fluvial deposition and development of shallow marine conditions. Exposed within the sequences is the Blackbyre Limestone, a pale grey crinoidal argillaceous limestone indicative of a transition to a deeper marine sedimentary environment.
The majority of the sedimentary rocks exposed on the shore at Kilspindie form the lower part of Lower Limestone Formation (Clackmannan Group). The Lower Limestone Formation comprises a cyclic sequence of calcareous mudstones, limestones, sandstones and siltstones containing thin coal seams and some seatearths. The Hurlet Limestone, seen on both the eastern and western part of this shore section marks the boundary between the Clackmannan Group and the underlying Strathclyde Group. The Hurlet Limestone forms a prominent 1–5 m bed across the site
The cyclic sequences between the limestones are composed of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone and subordinate limestone. The sandstone is quartz-rich, fine to medium grained, with organic patches throughout. There is an indication of bioturbation and rippled features on bedding planes
Volcanic rocks
The Lower Limestone Formation is intruded by the Gosford Bay Sill, an olivine-analcime-gabbro. Exposure of the sill is accessible at high tide, adjacent to the concrete tank blockades sit on the shore
Quaternary deposits and landforms
The shore of the section is littered with glacial erratics of igneous origin, with mafic (dolerite or gabbroic) erratics displaying onion skin weathering
Access and additional information
There is good access along the coast line at high tide for most of the site, with access along the side of Kilspindie and Cragielaw golf club possible where the tide is too high. The site is best visited at low tide when one can walk on the shore and see most of the exposures. Parking is advised in Aberlady itself as the car parks near the section belong to Kilspindie Golf Club. The East Lothian Ranger service do not encourage large numbers of visitors along this section of coast due to the diverse bird life along this stretch of shore.
Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Dinantian
Formation: Lower Limestone Formation
Rock type: Calcareous mudstones, limestones, sandstones, siltstones, coal and ironstone
Age: Dinantian
Formation: Aberlady Formation (Strathclyde Group)
Rock type: Sandstone, siltstone, mudstone with minor ironstone, seatearths, coal and limestone
Age: Carboniferous to Permian
Formation: Gosford Bay Sill
Rock type: Analcime-Gabbro
Assessment of site: access and safety
Road access and parking There is good access to the site. Street parking is available in Aberlady, then following signs on foot to Kilspindie Golf Club or taking a path near the church to Kilspindie Castle. Access to the site can also be made from a parking area at Longniddry Bents (only at low tide) approximately 2 km south west of the western edge of the site. Following the John Muir Way for part of the route.
Safety of access Faint footpaths provide good access along the edge of the golf course at high or low tide and there are rock exposures above the high-tide level at some points. Access to some sections is restricted at high tide. Visitors should be aware of tide times and access routes when visiting the site.
Safety of exposure The cliffs appear generally stable, but care should always be taken beneath cliffs, particularly in over-hanging areas. Rocky coastal platforms and boulder-strewn areas can be hazardous and care should be taken in accessing these areas.
Access Access via the shore and footpaths.
Current condition Many rock exposures are clean and free of vegetation. However, in the intertidal zone the sedimentary rocks in particular, may be largely covered by barnacles and algae.
Current conflicting activities There are two golf courses located adjacent to parts of the site. The main access paths skirt the edges of the golf course areas. The area is part of the Aberlady Nature Reserve which may object to encouraging visitors especially during the nesting season.
Restricting conditions Many of the geological exposures are located within the intertidal range and are not visible at high tide.
Nature of exposure Intertidal rock platform, beach exposures and small cliff sections.
Assessment of site: culture, heritage & economic value
Historic, archaeological & literary associations A quarry was sited near Garlick Rock but there is no historical record of its use. The ruined remains of Kilspindie Castle are just to the south-east of the site. There are only a few blocks of masonary left to indicate the location of this 16th century castle. Aberlady Bay was Britain’s first Local Nature Reserve to open in 1952. Concrete tank blockades are in situ to the west of the site, a remnant from past wars.
Aesthetic landscape Coastal landscape
History of earth sciences No known association
Economic geology No known association
Assessment of site: geoscientific merit
| Rarity | Quality | Literature/collections | Primary interest | |
| Lithostratigraphy | Regional | Good | X | |
| Sedimentology | Local | Good | ||
| Igneous/mineral/metamorphic geology | Local | Moderately good | ||
| Structural geology | ||||
| Palaeontology | Regional | X | ||
| Geomorphology |
Site geoscientific value
Kilspindie Shore displays a cyclic sequence of sedimentary rocks belonging to the Carboniferous Lower Limestone Formation. The Hurlet Limestone, an important marker horizon for the base of the Lower Limestone Formation across the Midland Valley of Scotland, is exposed at this site. There are few natural exposures of the Lower Limestone Formation in central Scotland, making this a regionally important lithostratigraphic site.
Kilspindie Shore provides an excellent example of fossils with regional significance (in particular corals and brachiopods) preserved in good quality limestones. The site also provides a naturally exposed section through the Lower Limestone Formation which has regional litho- stratigraphical significance.
Assessment of site: current site value
Community The site is visited daily by golf club users, although public access along the coast may be used less frequently.
Education The site contains a wealth of fossils, in particular fossilised corals, which may have educational value for schools, higher education and research.
Assessment of site: fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility Weathering/erosion, sample/fossil collecting
Potential use Research, Higher/Further Education, School Education.
Geodiversity summary
The Kilspindie Shore section exposes a near continuous sequence from the top of the Strathclyde Group (Hurlet Limestone) up to the Blackhall Limestone, forming the lower part of the Lower Limestone Formation. Excellent exposures of the Hurlet Limestone allow the chance to examine fossils that lived during the Carboniferous at time of deposition, with the cyclic successions of siliciclastic rocks allowing interpretation of the subsiding deltaic environment and fluctuating sea level changes that deposited these rocks.