PITCAPLE AND LEGATSDEN QUARRIES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

This Statement, which provides advice on recommended management for this SSSI, does not affect, or form part of its statutory notification.

Location : About 1km north of Pitcaple and 6km NW of Council Area(s): (Central) OS Grid Reference : NJ729267 (OS 1:50,000 Sheet 38) Area (ha) : 7.6ha Date Notified SSSI : 22 August 1989 Other Designations : Geological Conservation Review site Tenure : Two owners Summary Description/Evaluation Pitcaple provides excellent exposure, albeit on a limited scale, of the 2 different varieties of the rock type Gabbro and forms part of the large igneous Intrusion. The Insch Intrusion stretches from Cabrach in the west to Oldmeldrum in the east and formed from molten rock (magma) rising from the earth’s centre and gradually solidifying deep below the earth’s surface to form a solid rock body or “intrusion”. Igneous rocks such as those at Pitcaple are formed through the crystallisation of these molten rocks. These rocks are of interest because they are evidence of the type of igneous activity that occurred in north-east as a result of closure of the Iapetus ocean and consequent continental collision that occurred during the Ordovician and Silurian periods, between 500 and 400 million years ago. The gabbro represents the middle stages of the solidification of the molten rock (magma) when it was occupying a large pocket, or magma chamber, deep within the Earth’s crust. Most of the rocks exposed by quarrying at Pitcaple are fine-grained granular gabbros but some coarse-grained gabbros and granite pegmatite sheets are also present. Towards the northern end of Pitcaple the rocks show evidence of layering and are “fresh”. This means that their minerals have not been altered by circulating groundwater or any event that followed their solidification. Towards the southern end of the quarry, the gabbros show the increasing effects of alteration and so their original nature becomes increasingly obscured. At the extreme southern end the rocks have been completely altered and no “fresh” gabbro remains. The western quarry face shows evidence of invasion by later granite-pegmatite sheets which contain the “exotic” mineral tourmaline. A review of the interest on site has determined that the Legatsden section of the site no longer meets the criteria for SSSI status and that there are better examples elsewhere. Consequently, when time permits, this section of the SSSI is likely to be de-notified. A comprehensive description of the Earth Science Interest can be found in the Scottish Natural Heritage, Earth Science Documentation Series for ‘Hill of Barra, Pitcaple & Legatsden and Balmedie SSSIs (Odling 1996).

Present Management

1292 Pitcaple & Legatsden Quarries.doc Pitcaple is an active quarry operated by the local authority. Operations are constantly revealing fresh rock surfaces and large quantities of spoil. The rock faces represent rock in its geological context whereas the spoil material provides an excellent resource for obtaining samples and the discovery of mineral specimens. Given the large size of the Insch Intrusion quarrying is unlikely to deplete this resource in the foreseeable future.

Principal Factors Influencing Management As Pitcaple is at present, a working quarry the rock faces are continually being renewed and fresh exposures created. While the quarry is in operation the prime aspect of conservation is to maintain access to the outcrop for researchers and other interested parties. In 1994 planning permission was granted to extend the quarry. The current SSSI boundary dates from 1989 and much of the active face now lies outside of the boundary.

Long Term Objectives for Management 1. Maintain the exposures at or above the current levels 2. Maintain access to the exposures

Date: 14 March 2002

Contact: Area Officer (Aberdeenshire Central), Scottish Natural Heritage, Wynne Edwards House,17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1XE. Tel. 01224 642863

1292 Pitcaple & Legatsden Quarries.doc