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.: Q23
Site name: Strath Mashie Overflow Channel
Grid reference:
Locality: The floor of Strath Mashie between Kinloch Laggan and Strath Mashie.
GCR Status: N/A
GCR No.: N/A
Type: Natural landform
Description: A flat-bottomed 'misfit' valley that was created by water flowing from Loch Laggan when it was much larger and unable to drain westwards as it does currently. The feature has been partially re- occupied by the rivers Mashie and Pattack, but a short stretch in the vicinity of Feagour remains intact beneath peat.
Justification: A very good example of a glacial overflow channel that was last occupied during the Loch Lomond Stadial at the time when the famous Parallel Roads of Lochaber (Glen Roy) were being created. Water ponded up in Glen Spean by ice centred in the western Highlands had to flow via this route into Strathspey.