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. 015 — Scourie Bay
Location, grid reference and photograph
The site comprises two localities on the north and south sides of Scourie Bay, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 2461, Lewisian Block, Vol. 34. Notified feature of Scourie Coast SSSI.
Description and geological significance
The site areas are representative of the “Scourie Dyke Swarm” which is of international importance. The type locality for the mafic and ultramafic Scourie Dyke Suite occurs on the north side of Scourie Bay, where a thick quartz dolerite intrusion (the “Geologist’s Dyke”) is exposed on the beach at Poll Eorna and in the crags of Creag a Mhail. A second important, more accessible, quartz dolerite dyke (the “Graveyard Dyke”) is exposed on the south side of Scourie Bay, just north-west of the cemetery.
Accessibility
There are good car parking facilities at Scourie Pier (north side) and Scourie Cemetery (south side), only a short walk from the site. No all abilities access to the main rock- exposures on either side of the Bay, although rock-faces adjacent to the Pier can be seen from a car.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to the scale and location of the site.
Visibility and “clarity”
The exposures and field relationships of the Scourie Dykes are well displayed and clear. The Geologist’s Dyke on the north side of the bay is a very dramatic feature and is truly inspiring to a geologist.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
There is currently no interpretation panel at either the north or the south side of Scourie Bay. An informal display is shown in the Bird Hide hut at the Parking. Guided walks have been held by the Highland Council Rangers, and have proved to be popular. The key features of the Scourie Dykes require specialist interpretation but it is considered that a suitable interpretation panel could be located on the south side at the cemetery car park, catering for the general public as well as specialist interest. The site is regularly visited by geology students and researchers. Certainly, the two main Scourie Dykes should be included in a future Geopark guide. The area has considerable potential as a teaching resource for universities and students of geology.
Key references
FRIEND, C.R.L. 2009. Scourie Bay. 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, 137–141.
O'HARA, M.J. 1961b. Petrology of the Scourie dyke, Sutherland. Mineralogy Magazine, 32, 848–865.
TARNEY, J. & WEAVER, B.L. 1987b. Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of the Scourie dykes: petrogenesis and crystallisation processes in dykes intruded at depth. In Park, R. G. & Tarney, J. (eds) Evolution of the Lewisian and Comparable Precambrian High Grade Terrains. Geological Society Special Publication, 27, 217–233.