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_27: Whitekirk
Site information
Location and summary description:
The site comprises an area of streamlined bedrock characteristic of the ice-moulded lowlands of East Lothian.
National Grid reference:
Mid-point:
West-end:
East-end:
Site type: Natural landform; Natural view
Site ownership: Local land owners
Current use: Agricultural land
Field surveyors: John Gordon
Current geological designations: None
Date visited: 26 September 2014
Other designations: None known
Site map
Site description
Background
The site (approximately 1.5 km long) is located west of the village of Whitekirk, c. 3 km to the north of East Linton.
Quaternary deposits and landforms
Glacial erosion has produced extensive moulding and streamlining of the basaltic bedrock (belonging to the Garleton Hills Volcanic Formation) at the site. This erosion has formed low, elongated rock ridges (tens to hundreds of metres long, and a few metres to tens of metres high) separated by bedrock grooves
Stratigraphy and rock types
Age: Carboniferous
Formation: Garleton Hills Volcanic Formation
Rock type: Mugearite, basalt.
Assessment of site: access and safety
Road access and parking Whitekirk is accessible from the A198 south from North Berwick or via the A1/A199 from Edinburgh. The landforms can be easily viewed from the minor roads and footpaths that cross the area.
Safety of access Care is required parking on roadside verges. Safety of exposure Not applicable.
Access Access is via agricultural land. The site can be viewed from the minor roads and footpaths that cross the area.
Current condition The principal requirement is to maintain the overall visibility of the landforms. The current condition of the features is generally good.
Current conflicting activities The area is used for agriculture which is generally compatible with maintaining the visibility of the landforms.
Restricting conditions Some of the rock outcrops are obscured by vegetation growth, notably the ice-abraded surfaces at Merrylaws.
Nature of exposure Landscape feature, glacial landforms.
Assessment of site: culture, heritage & economic value
Historic, archaeological & literary associations No known association
Aesthetic landscape Limited value
History of earth sciences The John Muir Way passes through part of the site.
Economic geology Former quarry to the south-east of Merrylaws — use unknown.
Assessment of site: geoscientific merit
| Rarity | Quality | Literature/collections | Primary interest | |
| Lithostratigraphy | ||||
| Sedimentology | ||||
| Igneous/mineral/metamorphic geology | ||||
| Structural geology | ||||
| Palaeontology | ||||
| Geomorphology | Regional | Good | Kendall & Bailey, 1908; Jackes, 1973; Sissons, 1975; Hall, 2012. | X |
Site geoscientific value
The Whitekirk site is a good representative area of ice-moulded bedrock characteristic of lowland East Lothian. East Lothian is a particularly good example of an ice-moulded lowland.
The Whitekirk site is a good example of lowland glacial erosion producing streamlined bedrock ridges and is of regional significance.
Assessment of site: current site usage
Community Likely limited value — possible daily usage along John Muir Way during peak season.
Education Currently probably little used, but has some potential for education and public interpretation e.g. the John Muir Way crosses the site.
Assessment of site: fragility and potential use of the site
Fragility Waste tipping, the likelihood of development and extensive tree planting would affect the quality and visibility of landforms at the site.
Potential use School education, interpretation linking geology and landscape. Educational visits could be combined with visits to the Garleton Hills and North Berwick Law.
Geodiversity summary
The Whitekirk site is a good representative example of an ice-moulded lowland area, demonstrating streamlined bedrock formed by glacial erosion. It is relatively accessible and there is potential for developing the value of the site through promoting existing available information and engagement with schools.