Soils around and the of Clyde

MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Land Use Division Report No. 5

Soils around Glasgow and the

J A Hipkin

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB9 2QJ The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 245 Telephone: (0224) 3 186 1 1 Fax: (0224) 31 1556

ISBN 0 7084 0455 3

0 Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, 1988 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

Con tents Description of the Area Location and extent Geology Landforms Parent materials Climate

Soil Formation and Distribution 4

The Soil Associations 5 Balrownie Association 6 B argour Association 6 Bemersyde Association 7 Carbrook Association 7 Carpow Association 7 Corby Association 7 Darleith Association 7 Darvel Association 9 Deecastle Association 9 Dreghorn Association 9 Foudland Association 10 Giffnock Association 10 Gleneagles Association 11 Association 11 Kippen Association 11 Lanfine Association 12 Panbride Association 12 Rowanhill Association 12 Sorn Association 13 Alluvial Soils 13 Organic Soils 14

Land Use 14

Figure 1 - Physical features opposite page I

iii Figure 1. Physical Features

iV SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

(=Old Red Sandstone) and Carboniferous ages. The Devonian rocks consist mainly of sand- Description of the Area stones with some conglomerates and usually exhibit strong red colours. Strata of Lower Old Location and extent Red Sandstone age occur mainly around This account deals with the soils of the one- and in Kilmaronock Parish; Upper inch-to-one-mile soil map Sheet 30 (Glasgow). Old Red Sandstone age strata occur between Alexandria and , and along the Firth Most of the land lies in the of Clyde coast between and , Region to the north and west of Glasgow and east to Noddsdale Water. around the Firth of Clyde, occupying 1100 square kilometres. The Carboniferous sediments comprise shales and sandstones with some coals and Built-up area accounts for approximately occasional limestones and calciferous sand- one quarter of the total land area. Glasgow and stones, ranging in age from the earliest Carbon- its satellite towns such as Paisley, Johnstone iferous rocks in the Calciferous Sandstone and , dominate the south-east of the Measures through the Limestone Group and area. Other important conurbations are , Millstone Grit to the Coal Measures, and occur- and on the south bank, ring mainly in the lowland areas of the Midland and on the north bank of the Firth Valley. The predominant igneous rocks are of Clyde, and Alexandria and be- basaltic lavas, which being more resistant to tween the southern end of Lomond and erosion than the sediments, usually fom the the Firth of Clyde. higher, more rocky ground such as the The towns of and lie in and Kilpamck Hills. Strath Blane, bordered by the to LandtothenorthoftheHighlandBoun~ the northcast. In the north-west the Fault comprises rocks of the Upper Dalradian peninsula is bounded by and Gare Assemblage, consisting mainly of quartz-mica- Loch, the town of lying at its south- schists and mica-schists, with grits, slates, em tip. The seaside towns of Largs, , phyllites and calc-silicate rocks. During the and Inverkip lie on the Clyde Pleistocene Epoch the area was affected by coast in the south-west, and are bounded to the glaciation, with the Highlands being the centre east by the Renfrew Hills. of a massive ice-sheet, and the ice moving in a generally southerly direction, tending to south- easterly towards Glasgow. Evidence for the Geology direction of ice movement exists in the orienta- The area north of the Firth of Clyde is tion of crag-and-tail features, drumlins and traversed by theHighlandBoundary Fault zone, drumlin-likeridges, together with glacial striae a prominent geological feature which extends on rock surfaces. Much of the lowland is cov- north-eastwards from Kilcreggan to the south- ered with a thick mantle of till, whereas the hills west shore of . have a thin cover of stony drift, especially on the north-facing slopes where the erosive effect Land to the south of the Highland Bound- of the ice was strongest. ary Fault, the Midland Valley, is dominated by sedimentary and igneous rocks of Devonian At the end of the glacial period deposits of

1 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FJRTH OF CLYDE silts and clays were laid down in ice-dammed ally craggy landscape with smooth, gently lakes, and glacial meltwaters deposited sands sloping intervening hollows. and gravels, indicating successive positions Ruvioglacial sands and gravels occur 10- occupied by the ice-margin during its 'retreat'. cally in some valleys and often have a terraced Raised beach sands, silts and gravels fringe or moundy landform, which may also be dis- most of the coastline and deposits of alluvium sected by river erosion. occur alongside rivers and streams and some- Terraces of raised beach deposits are com- times in depressions in undulating lowland. mon around the coasts of the Firth of Clyde, and are generally level or gently sloping and often dissected by streams and rivers. A large area Landforms occurs around Renfrew, Houston, Linwood In the Midland Valley area there is a close and Bishopton, and smaller areas occur for relationship between rock type, structural pat- example around the southern tip of the Rosneath tern and landform. Most of the hill areas, in- peninsula, between Helensburgh and Geilston, cluding the Kilpamck Hills, the Campsie Fells and around Inverkip. and the Renfrew Hills, are underlain by igneous rocks which are generally harder and more resistant to erosion than are the surrounding Parent Materials sedimentary rocks. Most of the soil parent materials owe their Differential erosion occurs within those origin to glacial influences and comprise tills, areas of igneous rocks that are composed of fluvioglacial sands, silts and gravels, and raised alternate layers of hard compact lavas and beach deposits. Alluvial and organic parent lighter porous lava, and results in a characteris- materials are also represented. tic stepped landscape. Prominent, steep, often The area to the north-west of the Highland precipitous cliffs such as the Kilpatrick Braes, Boundary Fault was subjected to extreme em Gleniffer Braes and those on the north and west sion during the glacial period and there is a rlanics of the &sie Fells, occur focaiiy. strong relationship between the drift types and The areas underlain by the sedimentary the mck types fTom which they are derived, rocks are mantled by thick deposits of glacial both in texture and stoniness. The phyllites, till which have produced a smooth landscape slates and mica-schists were weathered to give with gentle and strong rolling slopes and drum- soil parent materials with silty or fine sandy lins and drumlin-like ridges. Much of Glasgow textures, and the soils developed on these is built on such features as evidenced by names materials are grouped into the Foudland Asso- such as Priesthill, Govanhill and Maqhill. ciation. The region to the north of the Highland The igneous rocks have given rise to vari- Boundary Fault is represented by the rounded ous parent materials ranging in texture from and locally rocky hills which form the Rosneath clay loam or sandy clay loam till in depressions, peninsula and the area north of Helensburgh. to shallow sandy loam deposits in the rockier areas, and are represented by the Darleith In some areas glacial is lodged in hol- till Association. lows between rockoutcrops producing a gener-

2 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

In the lowland areas parent materials de- at the southern tip of the rived from Lower and Upper Old Red Sand- and between Helensburgh and Dumbarton. The stone strata consist mainly of reddish brown level, low-lying land between Renfrew and sandy clay loam tills of the Kippen Associa- Houston, south to Linwood and north towards tion, although widespread water-modification Bishopton, is dominated by raised beach fine has resulted in a sandy loam, or in extreme sands and silts derived mainly from Carbonif- cases, a gravelly loamy sand texture. Parent erous sediments, forming the parent material of materials derived fi-orncarboniferoussediments the Dreghorn Association. consist of yellowish brown and greyish brown Alluvial deposits, of various textures, oc- tills of clay loam or sandy clay loam texture cur along the main river courses, such as the which, in places, have coarser-textured par- , and in Strath Blane, tially water-sorted upper layers. Hollows tend and also in basin sites around Kilmacola to be partially colluvium-filled and the soils are deeperwith 'loamier' textures. Soils developed Organic parent materials, notably the tracts on these materials are grouped in the Giffnock of blanket peat, occupy large areas of the hill and Rowanhill Associations. ground, particularly on Stockie and Dumbar- ton Muirs north of the Firth of Clyde and Tills of mixed lithology occur where rocks Duchal Moor, Queenside Muir and Ferret of have been overridden by ice containing mate- Keith Muir to the south. The deposits are greater rial from another area. For example, the of soils than 50 centimetres deep but rarely exceed 120 the Ldme Association are developed on till centimetres. Small hollows containing basin derived from sediments of Old Red Sandstone peat occur throughout the low ground. age, mainly sandstones, together with basic igneous rocks, mainly basaltic lavas. The till has a sandy clay loam texture and occurs in an Climate I- area of drumlin topography around Netherton, *$! near Langbank on the south of the Firth of The climate is described as warm and Clyde. The Old Red Sandstone sandstone moderately dry in the Clyde valley, fairly warm component of the till originates from rock and wet in the lowland areas, and cool and wet outcrops north of the Clyde, and this together in the upland areas. with the orientation of the drumlins and till Rainfall in the Clyde valley is less than ridges substantiates the theory that ice moved loo0 millimetres per annum, but a rahge of in a north-west to south-easterly direction. 1O00 to 1500 millimetres per annum is general North of Dumbarton, Calciferous Sand- in the lowland areas. The intensity and duration stone shales of Carboniferous age have been of rainfall increases with altitude and the up- overridden by, and incorporated with, till de- land areas receive an average annual rainfall of rived from Old Red Sandstone sediments to about 2500 millimetres. produce ared clay loam till of the Sorn Associa- Autumn and early winter are the wetter tion. periods of the year with about 45 per cent of the Fluvioglacial sands and gravels occur lo- annual total precipitation falling during the cally in the broader valleys. Raised beach sands months October to January. and gravels, and some fine sands and silts occur The lowlands are relatively warm, having mainly along the Firth of Clyde coasts, notably

3 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

an accumulated temperature greater than 1375 ciently warm and moist to allow good vegeta- day-degrees C, and a growing season of about tive growth and a high level of biotic activity in 300 days. Temperatures decrease with altitude the soil. and the cooler upland areas have a lower accu- Brown forest soils with free natural drain- mulated temperature in the range 825-1100 age occur locally in the lowland areas and are day-degrees C, and a shorter growing season of developed on coarse-textured parent materials about 200-250 days. More severe conditions or in areas where slopes are sufficient to allow occur on the exposed hilltops. free drainage by run-off. The winters are very mild and the incidence Thin stony drifts derived locally from ba- of frost is low in the coastal areas due to the saltic lavas also carry brown forest soils and ameliorating effect of the North Atlantic Drift these map units are characterised by moderate on the local climate. The incidence of frost amounts of outcropping rock and deeper soils increases away from the coast and with increas- in depressions, an example being the Elm- ing altitude, but is modified by local topogra- colm Complex of the Darleith Association. phy. Soils in the upland and hill areas experience a cool, wet climate and show a strong tendency Soil Formation and to form organic surface horizons, the major soil subgroups of peaty gleys and peat being preva- Distribution lent, with some peaty podzols and peaty rank- ers. The soils are often shallow over bedrock, Soils in the lowland are generally areas the landscape being rock-controlled, that is, mineral soils and are utilised for arable farming taking its form from the underlying rocks rather systems. The thick mantle of glacial pro- till than a superficial deposit such as glacial till or vides a fairly homogenous parent material and sands and gravels. There is a strong relation- a smooth undulating landfom - relatively uni- ship between the soils, topography and slope, form conditions for soil development. Owing and a consequent short-range variation in soil to a predominance of parent materials with prope€iies.kp wet ptor peaty duvid soilis relatively fine textures, such clay low,the as tend to accumulate in depressions, with peaty soils commonly exhibit gley features and have gleys, peaty podzols and peaty rankers on rocky low hydraulic conductivities and natu- impeded ridge crests and slopes. Peat also blankets large ral drainage. The major soil subgroups of brown areas of gently or moderately sloping upland, forest soils with gleying and noncalcareous the cold, wet conditions promoting the accu- gleys are the most common. The topsoils are of mulation of organic matter by slowing down sufficient depth for cultivation and the growth the rate of decomposition. of most crops. Although the climate in thelowland areas is less wet than in the hills and upland, the rainfall is still high and exceeds loss of moisture by evapo-transpiration, so those soils which are fme-textured and slowly permeable to water become waterlogged for much of the year un- less artificially drained. The climate is suffi-

4 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE The Soil Associations Foudland Drifts derived from Dalradian slates and argillaceous schists A soil association is a grouping of soil map Giffnock Till derived mainly from Car- units (soil series and complexes) in which the boniferous sandstones with soils are developed on similar parent materials. some shales, coals and lime- Forty-three soil series, twenty-one soil stones Residual weathering complexes and nineteen other map units have sandstones and shallow drifts been mapped in the area under review. The soil Gleneagles Fluvioglacial sands and gravels series and soil complexes are grouped into the derived mainly from Lower Old following nineteen soil associations: Red Sandstone sediments and Association Parent Material lavas with some Dalradian schists Balrownie Drifts derived from Lower Old Red Sandstone sediments, Kilmarnock Till derived mainly from sedi- mainly sandstones, with some ments of Carboniferous age and Dalradian schist erratics igneous rocks The above till with partially water-sorted Bargour Till derived mainly from sand- upper layers stones of Carboniferous (Bar- ren Red) age Drifts derived from sandstones of Upper Old Red Sandstone Bemers yde Drifts derived from trachytes age with some Dalradian schist Carbrook Glacio-lacustrine red silts and erratics Till derived from rocks clays as above, with partially: water- sorted upper layers %--

Upper terrace deposits, mainly AZ-?. fine sands and silts Lanfine Tillderived from sandstGesand mark of Old Red Sandstone age Corby Fluvioglacial and raised beach and basic lavas sands and gravels derived mainly from acid rocks Panbride Raised beach sands and gravels derived mainly from rocks of Darleith Drifts derived from basalts and Old Red Sandstone age allied igneous rocks of Carbon- iferous age Rowanhill Till derived from Carbonifer- ous shales and sandstones with Dane1 Fluvioglacial sands and gravels some coals and limestones The derived mainly from rocks of above till with partially water- Carboniferous age sorted upper layers Deecastle Drifts derived from calc-silicate Till derived from sediments of rocks Som Old Red Sandstone and Car- Dreghorn Raised beach sands and gravels boniferous age derived mainly from rocks of Carboniferous age Raisedbeach fine sands and silts

5 SOILS AROW GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

The Botwich Complex is the most exten- The Balrownie Association sive, occupying about 12 square kilometres The soils of the Balrownie Association around Darleith House and Goukhill Farm,and occupy about 47 square kilometres around the a large area extending north from Balloch to southern part of Loch Lomond. They occur Loch Lomond. It comprises brown forest soils between Croftamie, Gartocharn and Balloch; and noncalcareous gleys with brown rankers in in the area from Alexandria to Goukhill Farm; an undulating landscape which has gentle and along a narrow ridge extending from Gouk Kill strong slopes and is locally slightly rocky, the to Killoeter; and around Darleith House as a principal land use being grass for livestock- belt broadening southwards towards Cardross. rearing and dairying. The parent materials of the Balrownie The Auchendennan Complex occupies 7 Association are reddish brown drifts derived square kilometres on the hills west of Alexan- from Lower Old Red Sandstone sediments, dria, and comprises peaty gleys, peaty podzols mainly sandstones, with someematicsof Dalra- and peat in a sometimes slightly rocky, undu- dian schist. The drifts have reddish brown with lating and ridged topography with gentle and a sandy clay loam texture but widespread water strong slopes. Being generally wet and peaty, sorting has resulted in upper layers, usually less and in a high rainfall area, the soils are used for than 60 centimetres thick, of sandy loam and rough grazing although some areas may be sometimes gravelly loamy sand texture. The marginally suitable for improvement by lim- Balrownie Series, occupying about 24 square ited mechanical means, open ditches, reseed- kilometres, occurs mainly around Cardross and ing and liming. in the parish of Kilmarnock and comprises The Killoeter Complex is confined to the brown forest soils with gleying. The fine tex- slightly to moderately rocky, steep slopes of ture of the underlying parent material results in Gouk Hill and Killoeter, about 2 square kilo- moderate or slow permeability and imperfect metres in extent. It comprises brown forest natural drainage. The potential rooting depth soils and humus-iron podzols with humic gleys, depends on the depth of the coarser-textured, and carries a mixed grass and heathland vege- partiaiiy water-sorted maierid and is usudy in tation suitable for rough grazing. the range 35-60 centimetres. These soils are found in undulating lowlands and foothills with gentle or moderate slopes, suitable for a mad- The Bargour Association erate range of crops, including high yields of grass. The soils in this association are developed on clay loam drifts derived from Barren Small areas of soils of the Lour Series, Red Measures sandstones and some Carboniferous poorly drained noncalcareous gleys, occur in and Old Sandstone sandstones, in undu- depressions in undulating topography, often in Red an lating landfom with drumlin ridges and gentle association with soils of the Balrownie Series. and strong slopes. It occupies less than 1 square Poorly and very poorly draining peaty gleys kilometre. of the Sheriffmuir Series occur very locally at Imperfectly draining noncalcareous gleys higher altitudes. belonging to the Bargour Series occur very Three soil complex units were mapped. locally at South , east of .

6 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

The Bemersyde Association with gentle and strong slopes. The pattern of soils and slopes in the latter reduces its flexibil- Small areas of soils developed on shallow ity for agnculture, but the Corby Series pro- drifts derived from intrusive trachytes and vides reasonable yields of cereals and good rhyolites occur near Inverkip. These soils are yields of roots and grass, the possibility of freely draining brown forest soils of the Berner- with syde Series occupying abut 1 square kilo- grass conservation. metre.

The Darleith Association The Carbrook Association The soils of the Darleith Association oc- Poorly draining noncalcareous gleys of the cupy 296 square kilometres, of which 272 square Carbrook Series developed on glacio-lacus- kilometres are mapped as soil complex units trine red silts and clays occupy about 3 square and the remaining 24 square kilometres as soil kilometres in Strath Blane. Being fine-textured, series. These soils occur over a large part of slowly permeable to water anddificult todrain, Renfrew District south of the Firth of Clyde, they are normally under permanent pasture. and also north of the Clyde in the and around Milngavie and Strathblane. "t The patent material comprises drifts de- w The Carpow Association rived from micro- and macro-porphyritic oli- ? This association is represented by imper- vine-basalts and allied igneous rocks such as , fectly draining brown forest soils of the Carey mugearite, all of Carboniferous age. Series. The soils are developedon upper terrace A range of textures was encountered k deposits, mainly fme sands and silts, derived vary- ing clay loam and sandy clay loam in I from Lower Old Red Sandstone rocks. They from .t occupy about 3 square kilometres mainly in the those soils developed on compact glacih till, to i valley of the Endrick Water, and are utilised in sandy loam in those soils developed o;'iocally arable farming systems including grass leys. derived shallow drifts and colluvium. The principal soils of the Darleith Associa- tion are the imperfectly draining noncalcareous The Corby Association gley, Dunlop Series, and the freely draining Soils of the Corby Association are devel- brown forest soil, Darleith Series, which oc- oped on fluvioglacial sands and gravels derived cupy 7 and 10 square kilometres respectively, mainly from acid rocks, such as sandstones and mainly around Houston, Howwood and schists, occurring mostly between Arden and Dykefoot. These soils can produce good yields Helensburgh, and on the Rosneath peninsula. of cereals and grass, with lower yields of crops Freely draining cultivated humus-iron podzols such as potatoes, vegetables and forage crops. of the Corby Series occupy about 3 square Grass leys are common and are utilised for kilometres of level and gently sloping land, and grazing by dairy herds and livestock. a combination of humus-iron podzols, humic Pockets of poorly draining noncalcareous gleys and peat, comprising the Kildrumrnie gleys of the Amlaird Series occur in depres- Complex, occupies about 6 square kilometres sions, and are developed on slowly permeable, of moundy, ridged and terraced topography fine-textured tills. They are difficult to drain SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE and manage and are predominantly under long The Tourgill Complex occupies 26 square ley pastures. Poaching by livestock is often a kilometres of steeply sloping, often stepped, problem. slightly rocky to rocky land forming the flanks of the Kilpamck Hills and Campsie Fells, and Poorly and very poorly draining peaty gleys the western edge of the Renfrew Hills east of of the Myres Series occur on the footslopes of the Noddsdale Water. This complex of soils Cairncurran Hill and around Rottenburn Bridge. comprises brown forest soils and brown rank- Being either marginally suitable for reclama- ers, with some humic gleys in flushes and tion grassland or suitable only for rough as stream gullies. Being too steep and irregular for grazing, they carry a poor grass vegetation used agriculture this complex has a semi-natural for stoc k-rearin g . grassland vegetation with a high grazing value. Over much of the area there is a close The Balglass Complex comprises brown correlation between the soil types and the rock- rankers and brown forest soils with areas of controlled topography. The resulting intricate scree and crags, and occurs on moderately-to patterns of have been delineated com- soils as extremely rocky, steep andvery steep slopes. It plex mapping kitswdich may include small occupies only 3 square kilometresmd is lim- of brown rankers, humic gleys, organic areas ited to features such as Lang Craigs and the soils and rock, as well as the above mentioned prominent cliffs on the north side of the Camp- soil series. sie Fells. Those parts of the complex which are Seven soil complex units were mapped. not too steeporrockyproviderough grazingfor sheep. The Complex occurs on gently undulating rock-controlled lowland areas with The Gleddach Complex comprises humus- brown rankers and occasional small mck out- iron podzols, brown forest soils and noncal- crops on the tops of knolls, freely draining careous gleys with ranker soils, peaty soils and brown forest soils on the slopes, and imper- some peat. It occurs in ridged and stepped fectly draining noncalcareous gleys with some topography with a wide range of moderately peaty adhumic gleys in the intervening hol- rocky slopes. This unit occupies about 61 square lows. his unit occupies abut 92 square kilo- kilometres, in the area north of Milngavie and metres, much of it in Renfrew District, with west of Strathblane, and extensively south of substantial areas on the lower slopes of the the Firth of Clyde on the footslopes of the Kilpatrick Hills and Campsie Fells. In areas Renfrew Hills, west of Bridge of Weir. The where rock is at or near the surface the use of semi-natural vegetation is very variable, rang- cultivation equipment is limited, although the ing from heather-dominated vegetation of low rock is sometimes sufficiently weathered to grazing value on the peaty soils, to improved allow the passage of ploughs and harrows. grass swards of high grazing value on the areas Farming systems are predominantly based on of mineral soils. Although not generally suit- grassland utilised for dairy herds or the fatten- able for arable farming this unit provides good ing of livestock, with limited areas of cereals grazing for livestock. and root crops grown for feed. Some knolls and The Whitelees Complex comprises peaty bluffs are too steep or shallow for cultivation podzols, brown forest and gleys and carry a vegetation of rough grass, scrub or soils peaty with some peat in a strongly undulating and treeS. stepped topography with a widerangeof slopes,

8 . SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

and is slightly to moderately rocky. This unit utilised in arable farming systems although occupies 32 square kilometres in the Inver- stones in some areas may hamper potato har- Clyde District to the north of Loch Thorn and vesting. around Whitelees Moor, and north of the Firth of Clyde in the Kilpamck Hills. The vegetation is dominated by heather, coarse grasses and The Deecastle Association rushes on the wet and peaty soils, with some The soils of this association are limited to a fine grasses and bracken on the dry soils, the small of less than 1 square kilometre east unit being suitable for rough grazing mainly by area of Helensburgh, and comprise brown forest sheep. soils and peaty podzols with brown fankers The Mistylaw Complex comprises peaty developed on drifts derived from calc-silicate gleys and peat with peaty podzols; it occurs in rocks, and mapped together as the Goukhill undulating topography with gentle and strong Complex. The land use is resrricted to rough slopes and is often slightly rocky. It is generally grazing for sheep by the strongly to steeply at elevations greater than 200 metres above sea sloping ridged topography. level and occurs extensively on the hills around Misty Law extending north to Loch Thorn, and on the Kilpatrick Hills and the flanks of the The Dreghorn Association Campsie Fells, 54 square kilometres in all. The 5 vegetation is dominated by heather and is of The soils of the Dreghorn Association low grazing value. occupy about 14 square kilometres of level low-lying land in the area between kenfrew The Muirshiel Complex occupies only 4 and Houston, extending south to Linwod and squarekilometresandcomprisespeaty~ls north towards Bishopton. The parent material 1 and brown forest soils with humic gleys and consists of raised beach deposits de$eloped peaty gleys, developed on locally slightly mainly fiomrocksof Carboniferous agt?Freely * '1

..e*L bouldery moundy moraine. This unit was draining brown forest soils of the Dreghorn mapped on the eastern slopes of Queenside Series have developed on deposits of sands and Muir above the River Calder, and in the eastern gravels. Poorly draining noncalcareous gleys Kilpatrick Hills, and is of low grazing value. of the Yonderton Series have been developed on fine sands and silts. The Dreghorn Series is the least extensive, occurring on upper terraces The Darvel Association at higher elevation than the Yonderton Series. Peat oncecovered much of the area now mapped The soils of the Darvel Association occupy as Yonderton Series. Most of it was removed by about 3 square kilometres in Strath Blane and man in an effort to improve agricultural capa- around the River Kelvin; they are developed on bility, although remnants occur, as at Barochan fluvioglacial sands and gravels, often interbed- Moss where the peat surface lies about one ded, derived mainly from rocks of Carbonifer- metre above the surrounding land and the ous age. Freely draining brown forest soils of boundaries of which are often along straight the Darvel Series are the only mapped soils, and fence lines. Most of the association is utilised vary in texture from sandy loam to loamy sand by arable fanning systems, based on cereals and sand with varying amounts of gravel. Being and grass and a limited range of other crops. coarse-textured they are easily cultivated and

9 SOUAROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

The Foudland Association south side of Glen Fruin, occupying about 4 square kilometres. The soils of the Foudland Association occupy 12 square kilometres to the north-west The Mamore Complex of peaty gleys with of the . The parent peaty podzols and peat occurs in undulating, material comprises fine-textured drifts derived non- to slightly rocky land with gentle and from slates and argillaceous schists, mainly of strong slopes. It occupies 17 square kilometres Dalradian age. Poorly draining noncalcareous on the upper hill slopes of the Rosneath penin- gleys of the Fisherford Series occupy about 7 sula and on the hill slopes between Glen Fruin square kilo+metresof low-ground and need arti- and Garelach north of Helensburgh. ficial drainage and careful management to The vegetation of these soil complexes realise their potential in arable and grass ley varies from grassland and rush pastures in the rotations. Knockderry Complex and Clynder Complex to The Drumardoch Series of shallow, stony, heather-dominated moorland in the Marnore poorly and very poorly draining peaty gleys are Complex. Some improvement and reclamation prevalent on the hills, and occupy about 5 is possible. square kilometres mainly north of Helensburgh. The vegetation associated with these soils is mainly coarse grasses and rush pastures, al- The Giffnock Association though some areas are dominated by heather. The soils of the Giffnock Association oc- The soils are difficult to manage; drainage cupy about 12 square kilometres in an usually by open ditches to intercept surface area surrounding Craigmaddie Muir the south- water, reseeding, liming and application of to east of Strathblane. The parent material is a fertilisers are often the only possible means of brown of sandy clay loam texture derived improvement. till mainly from carboniferous sandstones with In the hilly areas the pattern of soils is some shales, coals and limestones. The pMci- intricate, related to the varied and rock-con- pal soils suitable for arable agriculture are the trolled topography; there are hesoil COM- imperfectly adprly diaining ooncalcarw~s plexes. gleys of the Aberdona and Gif€nock Series respectively, in all about 5 square kilometres of The Knockdeny Complex comprises non- land. Small areas of very poorly draining peaty calcareous gleys and brown forest soils with gleys of the Scaurs Series occur in depressions. humic gleys and occurs in undulating, non- to Owing to the ‘heavy’ nature and slow permea- slightly rocky topography with gentle and strong bility to rainwater of these soils, drainage and slopes. This unit occupies about 14 square careful management are needed, and grass leys .kilometres of the lower hill slopes of the are a common feature of the crop rotation. Rosneath peninsula, and the slopes north of Helensburgh. A small area of residual weathering sand- stone and shallow drift gives rise to the freely The Clynder Complex comprises brown draining brown forest soils of the Forestmill forest soils and humic gleys with humus-iron Series. An area of about 6 square kilometres podzols on non- to moderately rocky, strongly confined to Craigmaddie, Craigend, Muirhouse to steeply sloping land. This complex occurs on and Blairskaith Muirs is delineated as one the flanks of the Rosneath peninsula and on the

10 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE mapping unit - the Craigmaddie Complex. The easily worked’ than those of the Kilmarnock unit comprises humus-iron podzols, peaty rank- Series, but drainage is still impeded by the fine- ers, peaty podzols, peaty gleys and peat in an textured till below. undulating and stepped, slightly‘ rocky land- scape which has a wide range of slopes. The soil pattern is too variable and the soils are The Kippen Association mostly too poorly draining to make improve- The of the Kippen Association occupy ment a viable proposition and the land is left in soils 117 square kilometres, occurring in three a semi-natural heathy and scrub vegetation. main areas: between Dumbarton and Dumbarton Muir, extending northeast towards Killearn and Ballikinrain Mu* in an area east and The Gleneagles Association northeast of Helensburgh; along the Clyde The soils of the Gleneagles Association coast between Inverkip and Largs, east to occupy about 1squarekilometre near Croftamie Nddsdale Water. The parent material com- and at Largs and are represented by the freely prises reddish brown, sandy clay loam drifts draining humus-iron podzols of the Gleneagles derived from sandstone of Upper Old Red Series. The soils are coarse textured, being Sandstone age with some Dalradian schist developed on fluvioglacial sands and gravels erratics. The drift is sometimes hard and com- derived mainly fromhwer Old Red Sandstone pact as a result of induration. sediments and lavas with some Dalradian The mineral soils are all suitable for arable .1 schists, and are utilised mainly for grass and farming systems. The imperfectly draining cereal production. brown forest soils of the Kippen Series which occupy 34 square kilometres are dominant. Freely draining brown forest soils of *e Four- The Kilmarnock Association 1 me& Series and freely draining hum6s-iron 6. The soils of the Kilmarnock Association podmls of the Redbrae Series occupy 5-kd 3 occupy about 6 square kilometres near Strath- square kilometres respectively. Poorly drain- blane and around Milngavie at Easter ing noncalcareous gleys of the Arnmore Series Blairskaith. The parent material is a reddish occur in depressions and on lower hillslopes, brown sandy clay loam till derived mainly from occupying about 14 square kilometres. sediments of Carboniferous age, and igneous The poorly and very poorly draining peaty rocks. The landscape is gently undulating with gleys of the Limpithill Series occupy about 46 some steep-sided drumlin-like ridgeS. Theprin- square kilometres of hill land. Small areas of cipal soils are the imperfectly draining noncal- the imperfectly draining peaty podzol (Garri- careous gleys of the Kilmarnock Series which que Series) occur in association with peaty are slowly permeable and require careful gleys, often where weathered rock is near the management in arable systems to avoid struc- surface. The hill land vegetation associated damage. A small area of imperfectly tural drain- with the peaty soils is dominated by heather ing brown forest soils of the Brownrigg Series with some areas of coarse grass. Improvements occurs to the east of Strathblane. These soils are are limited by the wetness of the soils and rough developed on till with partially water-sorted grazing is the dominant land use. upper layers and are coarser-textured and ‘more

11 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE

Small areas of soils developed on drift with The Panbride Association partially water-sorted upper layers occur in the The Panbride Association occupies 5 square lowland, notably the imperfectly draining brown kilometres of land along the coast between forest soils of the Butterwell Series which Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton, and occupy about 2 square kilometres of arable between Inverkip and Lags. The soils are land near Killearn and Strathblane. developed on raised beach sands and gravels Three soil complex units, each occupying derived mainly from rocks of Old Red Sand- about 2 square kilometres were also mapped. stone age. The Portkil Complex comprises humus- The Geilston Complex occurs on gently iron podzols and brown forest soils with peaty undulating raised beach terraces and com- podzols in a non- to slightly rocky, holly prises noncalcareous and humic gleys with landscape with gentle and strong slopes. peaty gleys and humus-iron podzols. The soils are variable but are generally wet and stony and The Caldarvan Complex comprises brown the vegetation consists of grasses, rushes, and forest soils, humus-iron podzols and noncal-, scrub. In more uniform areas of raised beach carmus gleys developed on moundy moraine. with deeper, sandy deposits, freely draining ’ The Gallangad Complex comprises peaty humus-iron podzols of the Panbride Series podzols, peaty gleys and peat developed on have developed, which are suitable for arable moundy moraine. farming and often camy an improved grass sward.

The Lanfine Association The Rowanbill Association The soils of the Lanfme Association oc- cupy about 15 square kilometres between The soils of the Rowanhill Association Dumbarton and Milngavie, and around hg- occupy 40 square kilometres mainly in the bank on the south side of the Clyde. The parent Glasgow area near Paisley, Johnstone, Lochwin- materiai is a reddish brown till of sandy ciay noch, Mngavie and Bearsden. The parent loam or sandy loam texture, derived from material is a brown, sandy clay loam or clay sandstones and marls of Old Red Sandstone loam till derived from Carboniferous shales age, and basic lavas. The dominant mined and sandstones with some coals and limestones. soils are the imperfectly draining noncalcare- The landscape consists of undulating ridges ous gleys of the Lanfine Series which occupy and drumlins with gentle to strong slopes. In 10 square kilometres of undulating lowland some areas, notably at low elevations, the till with drumlin-like ridges, and are in arable has partially water-sorted upper layers with rotations including grass leys. Being fine- textures coarser than those of the unmodified textured and slowly permeable they need arti- till. ficial drainage and good management to real- The principal soils are the imperfectly ise their potential. At higher elevations poorly draining noncalcareous gleys of the Caprington and very poorly drained peaty gleys of the Series which occupy 21 square kilometres. Distinkhorn Series become dominant, a with Poorly draining noncalcarmus gleys of the vegetation of coarse grasses and rushes, and Rowanhill Series occupy about 5 square heather, used for grazing.

12 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND TKE RRTH OF CLYDE

kilometres in depressions and in more subdued The Sorn Association topography, where lack of slope hinders site The soils of the Sorn Association occupy drainage. In low-lying areas and on the lower 22 square kilometres in two main areas - slopes of ridges and drumlins, the till has been around Inverkip and , and around modified by glacial meltwater and imperfectly Dumbarton. The soils are developed on red to draining brown forest soils of the Macmeny reddish brown clay loam till derived from Series have developed with deeper, more sediments of Old Red Sandstone and Carbon- coarse-textured upper layers, overlying the iferous age, in a gently undulating landscape unmodified till. The Macmeny Series is easier with gentle or moderate slopes. to cultivate, provides greater rooting depth, is more responsive to drainage and more resistant The dominant mineral soils are the poorly to structural damage than the finer-textured draining noncalcareous gleys of the Sorn Se- ‘heavy’ soils developed on unmodified till. The ries, which occupy 9 square kilometres and are mineral soils are all utilised for arable fanning usually under long ley pastures. systems which include grass leys of varying The imperfectly draining noncalcareous duration in the rotation. Good management and gleys of the Glenpark Series occupy 4 square artificial drainage schemes with backfill are kilometres to the east and of Inverkip, and essential requirements on this ‘heavy’ land. north are utilised for arable farming systems. ! Small areas of poorly and very poorly drain- With increasing altitude and rainfall an ing peaty gleys of the Glaisnock Series occur organic surface horizon becomes prevalent in hollows and adjacent to areas of peat. and the poorly and very poorly draining peaty The Fulton Complex occupies about 8 gleys of the Weitshaw Series occupy about 9 square kilometres near Linwood and Bishop- square kilometres of land at Leap Moor, Auch- I, ton and comprises imperfectly draining non- enreoch Muir and also at BalMnrain Muir .’ 5 calcareous gleys of the Caprington Series north of the Campsie Fells. This moorrand has t ’ together with poorly draining noncalcareous a heatherdominated vegetation suitable only gleys of the Yonderton Series developed on for rough grazing or use as grouse-moor. fine sands and silts of the Dreghorn Associa- tion. In this area the raised beach fine sands and silts appear to occupy the lower elevations, Alluvial Soils occurring between the mounds and drumlins of Mineral alluvial soils with varying textures glacial till. Stream channels and some glacial meltwater channels have dissected the raised and drainage characteristics, and some undif- beach deposits, in places down to the underly- ferentiated alluvial deposits have been mapped, ing till. The soils occur in undulating topogra- notably along the River Kelvin, the River Clyde, and the Blane Water, and locally else- phy with gentle and steep slopes and are generally under arable farming systems in- where. cluding rhubarb growing at West Fulton, near Some low-lying hollows of alluvium inter- Johnstone. stratified with peat have been delineated as peaty alluvial soils. The larger, more homogeneous areas of

13 SOILS AROUND GLASGOW AND THE FIRTH OF CLYDE alluvium are utilised by arable farming sys- tems, but the smaller areas, especially those with a high water-table, fine textures and poor Land Use accessibility, have a semi-natural vegetation of Arable farming is practised principally on grasses and rushes, and occasionally scrub or the mineral soils of the low-ground, for ex- trees such as willow and birch. ample around Glasgow, Kilmacolm, Garto- charn and Killearn, and along the Clydecoasts, where good yields of a narrow range of crops Organic Soils are obtained, notably cereals, potatoes and root crops, and more recently oilseed rape. Small Deposits of basin and valley peat greater areas are utilised for market gardening and than 50 centimetres deep occupy about 10 rhubarb growing. squarekilometres, mainly in depressions which occur through much of the low ground. Barro- As many of the mineral soils are fine- chan Moss near Houston, and Linwood Moss textured and slowly permeable to water, drain- are the most extensive. Being difficult to re- age and timeliness of machine operations are claim and drain, and manage, most of these necessary to maintain yield levels and avoid soils carry a semi-natural vegetation of birch structural damage to the soils. Grass leys are an scrub or rush pasture. A small area of Linwood important part of arable rotations. at Blackstoun has been successfully re- Moss In higher rainfall areas long grass ley rota- claimed and is used as part of a market garden- tions or permanent pastures become prevalent ing enterprise. and the land is utilised for stock-rearing or Blanket peat greater than 50 centimetres dairying, with cereal or roots grown as stock deep occupies about 9 1 square kilometres and feed. is extensive on the Renfrew Hills at Ferret of The foothills and hills are utilised for rough Keith Moor, Duchal Moor and Waterhead grazing and forestry, with some grouse-moors. Moor, on the Campsie Fells, and on the Dum- Around Glasgow and some of the outlying barton and Stockie Moors. The vegetation of towns land is used for amenity purposes such these areas is dominated by heather and is as parkland, nature reserves and golf-courses. suitable forrough grazing by sheep, and for use as grouse-moors. Although not mapped as a separate unit large areas of blanket peat have been eroded.

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