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. 023 — The Laird’s Pool, Lochinver
Location, grid reference
The site is located within the course of the River Inver at the Laird’s Pool, 1 km upstream from Lochinver, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 1224, Caledonian Igneous Block, Vol. 17. Confirmed GCR site, not SSSI notified feature.
Description and geological significance
The exposure is representative of “Canisp Porphyry” and is seen as a 4 m thick dyke cutting the Lewisian Gneiss basement, indicating the western extent of this suite of nepheline-syenite dykes in the Foreland.
Accessibility
Some scrambling over rough ground is required to access the exposure from the north side of the River Inver which is close to the A 837 Lochinver–Inchnadamph road at this point. Alternatively, the site can be reached via the path on the south side of the river, requiring a much longer walk. There is no access for all abilities.
Conservation
Low conservation due to the location of the site.
Visibility and “clarity”
The dyke is easily seen from the river bank. Interpretation and interpretation potential
There is no on-site interpretation and none is required. The exposure has a potential value as a teaching resource for geology students and could be included 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 384).