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.: Q11

Site name: Coire Mhic-sith

Grid reference: [NN 66626 75891]

Locality: Glen lying to the NE of Dalnaspidal Lodge in the Pass of Drumochter

GCR Status: N/A

GCR No.: N/A

Type: Natural exposure and landforms

Description: A river cliff section revealing >3.1 m of rhythmically laminated, fine-grained deposits beneath till The glaciolacustrine unit becomes increasingly compact, sheared and disturbed upwards, displaying overturned folds. Subhorizontal features etched into the surrounding hillsides may represent former ephemeral lake shorelines

Justification: A critical site regarding research into the former extent of glaciers and ice-dammed lakes during the Loch Lomond Stadial. The sense of thrusting is towards the east, indicating that the ice that dammed a lake in the glen advanced from the Loch Garry basin to the west. There are good examples [NN 676 764] of glacial overflow channels at 787m OD leading into a valley to the east (Glas Mheall Spillways).

References