Scotland’s underworld Heritage Rock art The dramatic planning paintings of Are we getting it right? Sir Kyffin Williams RA 21Winter 2003-2004 OuPluggingtcro pthes L-GAP On other pages Outcrops On the 10th birthday of Earth Heritage magazine (hence Outcrops – pages 3-9 the cake!), I am delighted that we can bring you a larger-than-normal, 32-page birthday feast of news and Heritage planning – page 10 a huge variety of views on geoconservation. Perhaps the pick of the headlines is that the Aggregates Levy UK’s first geoparks Sustainability Fund, which has underpinned so many – page 12 excellent projects in England, is to be continued. This issue also sports the latest on some other important initiatives, for example, the move towards developing Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs) and the Soils in Scotland – page 14 establishment of the first European Geoparks in England. Michael Dearden and Mick Stanley discuss the benefits of more holistic and full integrated approaches Rock Art – page 15 to geoconservation. We also have two intriguing examples of the relationship between geology and civilisation. The first article looks at how geology has Landscape & influenced human settlement of the Scottish Highlands. The second describes conservation how geology and human history are entwined in the Wyre Forest Coalfield. – page 18 At a more spiritual and personal level, we look at how the geology of Wales has inspired and influenced the paintings of one of the country’s most famous artists – Sir Kyffin Williams RA. Still with art, Terry Beggs takes us through the trials and tribulations of constructing a geological map of Anglesey – and tells us how this mosaic is now at the centre of his coffee table! We also bring you details of an important new book, Geodiversity, by Murray Gray – an invaluable Science or fiction? compendium of information and best practice. – page 20 These are just some of the topics that we hope you will enjoy. If you would like Between a rock and a hard place to contribute news or an article, please – page 22 contact your local editor (details below). Stewart Campbell, Managing Editor History and geology Earth Heritage is a twice-yearly magazine produced for the in the Wyre Forest geological and landscape conservation community by the coalfield – page 24 Earth Joint Nature Conservation Committee, English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. The UKRIGS Geoconservation Association is a principal contributing partner. We would like to thank all those who have assisted with the preparation of the magazine. However, the opinions expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the above Coffee on the rocks – page 26 organisations. A database listing all the articles carried in issues up to issue 17 is available on CD. Contact any member of the editorial board. Fragile gems in Scotland’s underworld Key articles from this and previous issues of Earth Heritage can be found on the Web at: – page 27 www.seaburysalmon.com/earth.html Offers of articles should be directed to the relevant members of the Latest publications, including a special editorial board, who are: discount offer – page 29 Managing Editor STEWART CAMPBELL, Countryside MICK STANLEY, Geodiversity Council for Wales, Maes-y-Ffynnon, Consulting, Park House, 8 King Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire 2DN. Telephone 01248 385693, e-mail: HG4 1PJ. Telephone 01765 609479, Cover photo [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Editors CYNTHIA BUREK, UKRIGS Geoconservation Association, DAVID EVANS, English Nature, Environment Research Group, University Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 College Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester 1UA. Telephone 01733 455204, e-mail: CH1 4BJ. Telephone 01244 375444, [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] COLIN MACFADYEN, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Production Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Seabury Salmon, Seabury Salmon & Telephone 0131 446 2400, Associates, The Old Pound, Ludford, e-mail: [email protected] Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1PP. Telephone NEIL ELLIS, 01584 877442. Fax 01584 875416. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, e-mail: [email protected] Monkstone House, Circulation The Northern Lights – a superbly decorated section of City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY. passage beyond the downstream sump in Cnoc nan Uamh Earth Heritage is free. Contact your Telephone 01733 562626, that can only be reached by cave divers. local Editor to be placed on the e-mail: [email protected] Photo by Fraser Simpson mailing list. 2 Outcrops Outcropsutcrops Witch Craig: another stone in the wall of education Witch Craig’s resting spot for walkers is far more than a warm shelter. In 2003, thanks to the co-operation of interested individuals and organisations, a geological viewpoint was created here in the Bathgate Hills, west of Edinburgh. Its views extend across the centre of Scotland from the Bass Rock and the North Sea to the east, to Arran in the Firth of Clyde to the west. The viewpoint was uniquely designed to reflect the historical and agricultural heritage of the area and to fit well into the Dr John Markland and pupils of St Columba’s Primary School open the Witch Craig geological viewpoint. hill landscape with its dry ‘stane’ dykes. Photo by Scottish Natural Heritage Built into the curved wall are 43 special rocks collected from locations across this dramatic panorama of central Scotland – making the shelter an unusual Westward Ho! interpretation feature that raises awareness Devon and Dorset should brace themselves caught the local interest, several local of the surroundings and the geological for an influx of geoscientists next schools will be involved, demonstrating heritage. September. With the JNCC-sponsored how geology can capture young people’s Earth Heritage – World Heritage imaginations. Approached from Beecraigs Country Park geoconservation conference centred on to the north, Cairnpapple Hill in the south Wareham in Dorset, the possibility of the As part of the conference, JNCC is or from the Scottish Korean War Memorial International Geological Correlation working to initiate a global network of at the foot of the Craig, the viewpoint was Programme (IGCP) European regional World Heritage geological sites to share opened by the Chairman of Scottish meeting happening in Dorset and the experience. With representatives from sites Natural Heritage, Dr John Markland. The British Association Festival of Science at in Europe and farther afield (China, event, a prelude to Scottish Geology the University of Exeter, it will be a busy Australia, Argentina) the conference will Festival (see overleaf), involved pupils from month. provide a good opportunity to exchange the nearby St Columba’s Primary School. ideas and develop effective working links. The Wareham event will be by invitation, The viewpoint was made possible with the and will bring together UK and Sponsored by JNCC, and jointly organised help of Andy and Elspeth Gibbs, Lothian international organisations and individuals with the Devon/Dorset World Heritage and Borders RIGS Group, Central Scotland that are interested in geoconservation (and Team and English Nature, the conference Forest Trust, West some that are not currently involved but will run from 7-10 September, 2004 with Lothian Council, could be!). It will use the Devon/Dorset the possibility of following it up the Shanks First World Heritage coast as a model for Earth immediately with a technical ‘working Fund and Scottish heritage conservation best practice. weekend’ for people more directly involved Natural Heritage. Representatives from other geological in site management. The conference World Heritage sites, European geologists coincides with the BA Festival of Science working in geoconservation and a range of ( 6-10 September) in Exeter – providing an The Witch Craig information leaflet UK government and non-government opportunity to link to a wider audience - – an insight into agencies and organisations will have an and is likely to be followed by the IGCP the geological opportunity to see for themselves the meeting. The latter will bring together stories of the scientific, social and educational European geoscientists and scientific rocks in the wall. implications of living and working with our administrators, beginning at Burlington geological past. The Devon/Dorset World House in London and then migrating to the Heritage Team will lead field trips to see Dorset Coast to look at the public scientifically important sites on the coast understanding of the geosciences. and the visitor management facilities that interpret the science for the public. With – TONY WEIGHELL, the concept of World Heritage having Joint Nature Conservation Committee 3 Outcropsutcrops Outcrops Rock On rolls to more success Rock On 2003 – the fourth Scottish Geology Festival – took place in September, bringing new insights for people involved in geology, and inspiring newcomers to the world of rocks and landscapes. Aimed at bringing geology to Left: Scottish Olympic curling the people of Scotland and farther afield, champions Rhona Martin and Debbie Knox with Stuart Monro this biennial event, formerly called Scottish at the launch of Rock On 2003. Geology Week, involved thousands of Below: the new web site screen. Below left, an actor dressed as people in events throughout Scotland. a Polar explorer. All images courtesy Scottish Natural Heritage Because 2003 is the centenary of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, led by William Bruce, Rock On had an ice theme and was launched at Our Dynamic Earth by Rhona Martin and Debbie A NEW GATEWAY to Scottish Knox, two of Scotland’s Olympic geology was declared open curling champions. during Rock On 2003. The www.scottishgeology.com Ninety-nine individual events were website was officially launched by organised and run by geology enthusiasts, Dr Stuart Monro, helped by an industry and various groups, societies and early 20th century Antarctic museums. Together, this programme of explorer (actually an actor in period costume!). The website has mine and quarry visits, geological rambles, been expanded and will be continually updated.