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. 022 — An Fharaid Mhor
Location, grid reference
The site occupies the small coastal peninsula of An Fharaid Mhor to the south of Achmelvich, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference/volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 3165, Caledonian Igneous Block, Vol. 17. Potential (proposed?) GCR site, not SSSI notified feature.
Description and geological significance
The site contains a dyke of nepheline syenite (“ledmorite”) cutting the Lewisian Gneiss basement in the Foreland and trending towards the Loch Borralan intrusion.
Accessibility
A short walk from the unclassified Achmelvich road over locally steep and rough ground is required. No all abilities access, therefore.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to the scale and location of the site.
Visibility and “clarity”
The actual exposure of the dyke is difficult to locate without guidance.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
Interpretation potential is not high although the site could be listed 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 393).