Barron, H F, Gillespie, M R and Merritt, J W 2011. Geodiversity of the Cairngorms National Park. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/10/019
A PDF of this report is available from the NORA, the NERC archive
Site no.: B17
Site name: Bridge of Avon
Grid reference:
Locality: The River Avon and adjacent areas around Bridge of Avon, WNW of Tomintoul.
GCR Status: Proposed
GCR No.: 0
Type: Natural section and Natural exposures
Description: The site encompasses Dalradian strata exposed along some 1.4 km of the River Avon, extending from downstream of the old General Wade bridge, up river almost to below the abandoned lime quarry at Creag Chalcaidh. It also includes the lowermost part of Allt na Cluaine and some small crags marginal to alluvial terraces. The GCR volume 'Dalradian rocks of Scotland' (Stephenson et al., 2010) contains a full description of the site.
Justification: The site presents an excellent geological section through a condensed sequence of strata in which most elements of the Ballachulish and Blair Atholl subgroups (Appin Group) are represented. The strata are deformed by two sets of large folds, providing a good example of a kilometre-scale fold interference pattern. The Bridge of Avon site and nearby Bridge of Brown GCR site are complementary, and together form a natural focal point in the Dalradian outcrop of the North- east Grampian Highlands.