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. 026 — Cnoc an Droighinn
Location, grid reference and photograph
The hill feature of Cnoc an Droighinn is located about 2km north-east of Inchnadamph, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 1227, Caledonian Igneous Block, Vol. 17. Notified feature of Ben More Assynt SSSI.
Description and geological significance
The site exhibits numerous hornblende porphyrite sills within a setting of great structural geological complexity. The sills are structurally repeated by imbrication.
Accessibility
The site is located on rising ground on the north side of the River Traligill valley, requiring a walk of about 1.5 km east-north-east from the A 837 at Inchnadamph. There is effectively little or no all abilities access, depending upon circumstances.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to scale and location of site.
Visibility and “clarity”
The key features cannot be seen from a distance, necessitating close access to exposures.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
The site is mainly of interest to geology students and researchers and has low interpretation potential. It 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 386).