NWHG Ref. 052 — Camas Eilean Ghlais

Location, grid reference

The site is located within a coastal bay about 1 km north of Reiff on the Coigach peninsula, Grid Ref. [NB 967 157].

GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?

GCR Ref, 3164, Caledonian Igneous Block, Vol. 17. Proposed GCR site, not SSSI notified.

Description and geological significance

The exposure is of two sub-parallel nepheline syenite (“ledmorite”) dykes within tilted Torridonian sandstones, emplaced in the Foreland yet clearly trending towards the Loch Borralan intrusion. There are implications for timing of thrust movements. The site is internationally important historically in demonstrating that alkaline magmatism did not involve reactions with limestone.

Accessibility

The site is accessed via a 1.2 km walk over rough ground, northwards along the coast from Reiff, and is therefore not accessible to all abilities.

Conservation

Low conservation requirement due to remoteness of the location.

Visibility and “clarity”

The site and the dykes are not visible from the termination of the nearest road (unclassified) at Reiff. Due to similarities in colour, however, between the dyke rock and the host Torridonian sandstone, the dykes do not stand out very clearly when viewed from some distance away.

Interpretation and interpretation potential

There is very limited potential for interpretation of the site to the general public, outwith geological students and researchers. Nonetheless, it could be included in a future Geopark guide.

Key references

PARSONS, I. 1999. Late Ordovician to mid-Silutian alkaline intrusions of the North-west Highlands of Scotland. In Stephenson, D., Bevins, R. E., Milward, D., Highton, A. J., Parsons, I., Stone, P. & Wadsworth, W. J. (eds) Caledonian Igneous rocks of Great Britain. Geological Conservation Review Series, 17, Chapman & Hall, 345–393 . (site description page 392).