Assynt and Beyond EarthCache
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This lay by is part of the Knockan Crag Rock Route and offers the chance to view two spectacular examples of local geology, Quinag and some of the oldest rocks on the planet.
Quinag was a childhood favourite of mine and while looking up from the lay-by, I always imagined the slopes to be built of Lego bricks! Quinag (808m) is actually a range of mountains with its three separate Corbett summits. Sàil Gharbh is the most northerly and highest at 808m, whilst Sàil Ghorm, rises 776m and Spidean Coinich is 764m above sea level. The word Quinag is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic name Cuinneag meaning a churn or pail and the hill was often known as the Quinag. Sàil Gharbh means “big heel” whilst Sàil Ghorm is “blue heel” and Spidean Coinich is “mossy peak”.
Quinag is made of a pile of Torridonian sandstone, resting on the substrate of Lewisian gneisses with the peaks being capped by Cambrian quartzites. The massif is an excellent location to be able to understand and appreciate the relationship between these three rock units that dominate this area of Scotland. As well as this, remnants of ancient woodland comprising birch, rowan, hazel, elm, aspen and oak are scattered throughout the northern side Quinag, particularly in the deep gulleys and sheltered shoreline areas. Quinag became part of the John Muir Trust in 2005.
With Quinag behind you, you can look across Loch Assynt and see some of the oldest rocks on the planet, whilst admiring the geological force with which glaciation changed the landscape.
Further along the Knockan Crag Rock Route, The Moine Thrust is exposed and the geological puzzle can be awed and admired with a short climb up the hillside. This thrust was one of the first to be discovered anywhere in the world and a nearby monument was erected in 1980 to acknowledge the incredible discoveries made by geologists Ben Peach and John Horne, whose work was crucial in the understanding of the geology of the area.
As mentioned, this area part of the Knockan Crag Rock Route which offers information boards at various locations along a pre-designated route. For more information and a downloadable map, please visit. www.knockan-crag.co.uk
This whole area is also part of the North West Highlands Geopark. The Park starts at The Summer Isles in Wester Ross and continues northwards through west Sutherland to the north coast. The Geopark extends to the east of Durness, beyond Loch Eriboll, and on to The Moine. The eastern boundary of the Geopark largely follows the Moine Thrust zone, a famous and important geological structure. For further information, please visit www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk
To bag this cache, simply answer the four following questions from the information board, plus one "on the spot" question:
•What kind of sandstone can you see?
•When did the ice sheets recede?
•What is the oldest rock in the country?
•How many islands can you see?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)