North West Highlands Geopark (2016) North West Highlands Geopark Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013–2016
Additional notes: These web pages are sourced from the PDF North West Highlands Geopark Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013–2016
NWHG Ref. 053 — Rubha Dunan
Location, grid reference
The site lies on a coastal promontory, west of Polglass in the Coigach area, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 1614, Torridonian Block, Vol. 34. Notified feature of Rubha Dunan SSSI.
Description and geological significance
The site contains excellent exposures of the unconformities between the Stoer Group and the much older Lewisian Gneiss basement, and between the younger Torridon Group and the Stoer Group. The site is also of historical interest as it was here that a major change in the relict palaeomagnetic direction was detected within the Torridonian succession which was later correlated with a major unconformity and time-gap. The site is of national importance.
Accessibility
Access to the coastal exposures requires a 1.3 km walk from the unclassified road at Polglass over rough and frequently boggy ground. There is no all abilities access.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to the scale and location of the site area.
Visibility and “clarity”
The excellent exposures within the high coastal cliff along the southern edge of the Rubha Dunan peninsula cannot be seen from the nearest road.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
The site is used mainly by geology students and researchers and requires specialist interpretation. An interpretation panel for the general public is considered inappropriate. However, the site has considerable potential for development as a teaching aid for students and should be included in a future Geopark guide.
Key references
STEWART, A.D. 2002. The later Proterozoic Torridonian rocks of Scotland: their sedimentology, geochemistry and origin. Geological Society Memoir, The Geological Society.
STEWART, A.D. 2009. Rubha Dunan. In Mendum, J. R., Barber, A. J., Butler, R. W. H., Flinn, D., Goodenough, K. M., Krabbendam, M., Park, R. G. & Stewart, A. D. (eds) Lewisian, Torridonian and Moine rocks of Scotland. Geological Conservation Review Series, 34, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, 208–211.