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. 013 — Badcall
Location, grid reference
The site is located on the west coast near Scourie which lies further north, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 2458, Lewisian Block, Vol. 34. Notified feature of Scourie Coast SSSI.
Description and geological significance
The site area is representative of the Scourian features of the Mainland Lewisian Gneiss Complex. It includes some of the best-preserved examples of gabbroic and tonalitic granulite-facies gneisses on Mainland Britain. It is also representative of the Scourie Dyke Swarm. The site is historically important for lithological, geochemical and geochronological investigations of basement gneiss complexes. It is internationally important as the type locality for the Badcallian event and as one of the first places to be studied in detail using isotopic dating techniques.
Accessibility
Access is over rough and frequently boggy ground south-westwards from Upper Badcall, towards the rocky coast. There is no access for all abilities.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to scale and location of the site area.
Visibility and “clarity”
There is no visibility from the nearest road but exposures are excellent and very clear once reached.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
The area is important as a potential teaching locality for geology students and researches. An interpretation panel would not be appropriate, but the area should be included in a future Geopark guide.
Key references
KINNY, P.D., FRIEND, C.R.L. & J, L.G. 2005. Proposal for a terrane-based nomenclature for the Lewisian Complex of NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 162, 175–186.
FRIEND, C. 2009. Badcall. 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, 126- 130.