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Links & Books

Top links
See below for
Recommended Reading
All the links on this page are for sites and organisations that I personally recommend - either through a direct connection, or I've visited and been impressed, or I've heard good things about them.

Scottish Earth Science Education Forum is an association of educators and scientists established to promote understanding of planet Earth in Scottish schools and colleges.

Edinburgh Geological Society The Edinburgh Geological Society, founded in 1834, encourages public interest in geology and the advancement of geological knowledge. We are one of the largest geological societies in the UK.

Geotourism in the UK There aren't many other companies in the UK offering on-the-rocks inspiration and interpretation. Here are the ones I know about ... let me know of any more

Shetland Geotours Allen Fraser provides visitors with a deeper appreciation of the landscapes of Shetland.

Geo Supplies  Join Chris Darmon for guided walks in the Midlands and further afield, and study tours to Iceland.

Scotland Rocks
Scottish Geology gateway
Shetland Landscapes and sister sites on Caithness, East Lothian, Orkney & Cairngorms

Geo-education
Scottish Earth Science Education Forum
Earth Science Education Unit
www.geologyrocks.co.uk

Attractions in south Scotland
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Our Dynamic Earth
Scottish Mining Museum
Almond Valley
Birkhill Mine
Arthur's Seat wildlife images by Graham Checkley

 

Wild Scotland
Glebe Barn on Eigg  great base for exploring Eigg
Scotland Outdoors magazine

John Muir Trust

Volcanoes and geology
geology.about.com
Volcanoes Page
The Rockwatch Club
World Talks  my friend David Edwards tells great tales about Montserrat, the Grand Canyon and more.
Volcano Tours Auckland  I went on a tour with Murray Baker in 2004. Highly recommended.

 

Suppliers of rocks, maps, books ...
The Science Sleuth Shop  an online shop based in Edinburgh, stocking many of our household's favourite toys!
Mr Woods Fossils
British Geological Survey Bookshop

Other useful sites
Mountain Weather Information Service
Admiralty EasyTide

 
www.outdoor-diary.info link to outdoor diary of events and activities in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders
Use OpenOffice.org

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.

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

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


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