De Vuurberg
A view towards Eigg © A. van Roekel
Home Milieu & Energie Gezondheid & Wetenschap Duurzaam Bouwen Photo Gallery
Geologie & Reizen Landbouw & Voeding Natuurbescherming Eilanden Geo-educatie



SCOTLAND IN 4 DAYS:
WEST HIGHLAND LINE & ISLE OF SKYE

PAGE 5/5

  Quirang rocks © A. van Roekel

 
On Skye, we can find three types of Precambrian rock, both metamorph and sedimentary: Moine Schists, Torridonian Sandstone and Lewisian Gneiss, the eldest rock in Scotland. The famous mountain ridge on Skye, the Black Cuillins (gabbro) and the Red Hills (granite) are far more recent. Volcanism in this area started at the end of the Cretaceous and is related to the birth of the Atlantic Ocean. Volcanoes became active as a result of sea-floor spreading and the American and European continent drifted apart. The impressive Quirang rock in north Skye, on the Trotternish peninsula, is a product of a landslip creating wedges of lava.

  Modern footprints © A. van Roekel

 
The capital Portree acts as the centre of public transport on Skye. Ten miles from Portree, near Staffin Bay, the Staffin Museum shows dinosaur fossils from the Trotternish peninsula. In Staffin Bay, dinosaur footprints are found. Apart from a geological experience, Skye offers also 'green' nature and animal life. Don't miss (as I did) the sea otter sanctuary in Broadford.

Reading more:
Previous page
© Annemieke van Roekel, 2007. Niets van deze website mag worden vermenigvuldigd of openbaar gemaakt door middel van druk, microfilm, fotokopie, plaatsing van teksten en/of afbeeldingen op andere websites of op welke wijze dan ook zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van de auteur en de betreffende tijdschriftredacties.
Laatste wijziging: 29 april 2007
[home] [top] [contact] [disclaimer]