NWHG Ref. 014 — Sithean Mor

Location, grid reference

The site is located on the north side of Scourie Bay, Grid Ref. [NC 150 460].

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

GCR Ref. 2457, Lewisian Block, Vol. 34. Notified feature of Scourie Coast SSSI.

Description and geological significance

The site is representative of metasedimentary gneisses of the Mainland Lewisian Gneiss Complex which have been metamorphosed to granulite facies.

Accessibility

The site is accessed via a 1.2 km walk around the north side of Scourie Bay, from the nearest car parking area at Scourie Pier, over very rough and frequently steep terrain. There is therefore no all abilities access.

Conservation

Low conservation requirement due to scale and location of the site.

Visibility and “clarity”

The area of rock-exposure is not visible from the Pier car park.

Interpretation and interpretation potential

Specialist assistance is required to interpret the features. There is little potential for general interpretation due to the remote location and the specialised subject matter. Consideration could be given to including the site in a future Geopark guide, but it is not one of the more important sites.

Key references

BARNICOAT, A.C. 1987. The causes of the high-grade metamorphism of the Scourie complex, NW Scotland. In Park, R. G. & Tarney, J. (eds) Evolution of the Lewisian and comparable Precambrian high-grade terrains. Special Publication of The Geological Society of London, 27, 73–79.

FRIEND, C.R.L. & MENDUM, J.R. 2009. Sithean Mor. 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, 134–136.