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Recommended Reading below

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Recommended Reading

Down to Earth magazine, a lively geology magazine, published 4 times a year by Geo Supplies in Sheffield. Personal subscriptions are only £8 a year, highly recommended. Further details from Geo Supplies.

There are lots of good geology books, but I recommend these ones - all up-to-date, well-illustrated and readable, without too much jargon! For field guides with detailed descriptions of different areas of Scotland, check the publications of the Edinburgh Geological Society and Geology Society of Glasgow.

Geology and Landscapes of Scotland, Con Gillen, 2003
The best book on the geology of Scotland. Con has done a fantastic job in summarising a huge amount of knowledge into a readable and concise volume, accessible to the lay person and covering the geology, mineral resources and landscape of Scotland. Technical terms and rock names are simplified and explained, with an excellent glossary.
Terra Publishing, ISBN 1-903544-09-2.

Edinburgh Rock: The Geology of Lothian, by Euan Clarkson and Brian Upton. Published in June 2006, the book is written by two of the geologists who taught me at Edinburgh University. The enthusiasm I remember from their teaching bubbles from the pages. Euan Clarkson and Brian Upton have made a great team, bringing together their expertise in different areas to provide a comprehensive description.

The book is written for non-specialists, but given the nature of the story and the amount of detail included, it is inevitable that there is a fair amount of geological terminology to be wrestled with. Read it with a geological dictionary to hand!
Published by Dunedin Academic Press. £17.95 hardback, 239 pages, illustrated in colour throughout. ISBN 1 903765 39 4.

The Hidden Landscape, Richard Fortey, 1993
A travelogue of the geology of Britain, an entertaining read and excellent for bringing out the big themes and linking them with the human story of Britain.
Pimlico, ISBN 0-7126-6040-2

Land of Mountain and Flood, Alan McKirdy, John Gordon and Roger Crofts, 2007

A big book in all senses! A grand overview of the geology and landscapes of Scotland, with chapters on why geology is important in all our lives, Scotland's journey and the future on different time scales. Places to visit, and plenty, big, beautiful photos to inspire you. Big price, too, but worth it (£30).
Birlinn, ISBN 1 84158 357 X.

Volcanoes and the Making of Scotland, Brian Upton, 2004
A detailed account of the many different volcanic episodes that have been crucial in forming Scotland's rocks, going back in time from the relatively recent eruptions forming the west coast islands, to eruptions over a billion years ago.
Dunedin Academic Press, ISBN 1-903765-40-4

The Geology of Britain, Peter Toghill, 2000
Comprehensive introduction, full of colour photographs and diagrams.
Swan-Hill Press, ISBN 1-85310-890-1

Landscape fashioned by geology series, Scottish Natural Heritage/British Geological Survey
A series of short, well-illustrated books introducing the geology of several areas of Scotland.
e.g. Scotland - the creation of its Natural Landscape, Scottish Natural Heritage, ISBN 1-85397-004-2

The Geology of Scotland, Nigel Trewin (ed.), 2002
Academic; a good detailed up-to-date overview.
The Geological Society, ISBN 1-86293-126-2

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