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. 046 — Cam Loch Klippe
Location, grid reference and photograph
The site occurs close to the north-east side of Cam Loch north of Elphin, Grid Ref.
GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?
GCR Ref. 1159, Moine Block, Vol. 34. Notified feature of Cam Loch SSSI.
Description and geological significance
The site is representative of thrust klippen and thrust-propagation folding in the Assynt Culmination. The Cam Loch Klippe is the largest and best known of at least ten klippen in the Assynt Culmination and lies the farthest west. Its correlation with the Ben More Thrust Sheet by Peach et al. (1907), is somewhat controversial.
Accessibility
The site is in a remote location requiring a 2 km walk over rough and boggy terrain along a rough path starting at the north-east side of the A 835 road bridge over the Ledbeg River. It is not, therefore, accessible to all abilities.
Conservation
Low conservation requirement due to the scale and location of the site.
Visibility and “clarity”
The site is not visible from the nearest road and features require specialist knowledge to identify them once the site is reached.
Interpretation and interpretation potential
The site is not suitable for interpretation to the general public, in view of its specialised nature. Nonetheless, it could be developed as a teaching site for geology students and researchers. It should be included in a future Geopark guide.
Key references
BUTLER, R.W.H. 2009. Cam Loch. 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, 288–293.
ELLIOTT, D. & JOHNSON, M.R.W. 1980. Structural evolution in the northern part of the Moine thrust belt, NW Scotland. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences, 71, 69–96.