Contact: geology@eastlothianu3a.org.uk
When:
1st, and 3rd Thursdays, 2 – 4 pm
Where:
Autumn and Winter:
Star room in the John Gray Centre, Haddington,
Programme of talks for 2025/2026
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Subject |
Speaker/background reading |
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01/10/25 |
2 |
Geological inspiration Personal stories, BYO pebbles from the beach/mantelpiece e.g. Sedimentary rocks:(,,sandstone, slate, mudstone, limestone) Igneous rocks:( granite, dolerite, quartz, granite, basalt) Metamorphic rocks: (gneiss, schist, marble) Rock cycle |
John Hardy BYO Park: Introducing Geology preface and chapter 4 |
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16th |
Founding Fathers of Geology William Smith |
Graham Sharrock |
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November |
6 |
All that glisters is…. Minerals, crystals, gemstones Quartz, feldspar. calcite, haematite, galena, agate |
BYO Park – Introducing geology chapter1 Phillips “Guide to Minerals, fossils and rocks Bishop, Woolly and Hamilton page 148 |
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20 |
Igneous rocks and their origin Dykes, sills, volcanoes, lavas, laccoliths, Crystal size and composition |
John Hardy BYO Park: chapter 2 |
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December |
4 |
Igneous rocks of East Lothian |
BYO Sandra Introducing Geology – chapter 2 |
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December |
18 |
Christmas Gems Spring/summer snapshots, winter wonders, awesome autumn |
Contributions from all: photos, rocks brief power point presentations |
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2026 |
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January 2026 |
15 |
Ice, glaciation, and erosion by ice BYO? |
Alan Keating BYO Park: chapter 3 |
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29 |
Salt of the Earth |
Ian Watson |
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February 2026 |
5 |
Sedimentary rocks: mud, sand, other deposits Silt sandstones, conglomerate, greywacke, limestone, evaporites, chert (flint), coal |
BYO Park: chapter 4 |
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19 |
Stratigraphic column, Lithification, bedding, sedimentary environments |
Park: chapter 4
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March 2026 |
5 |
?Sedimentary succession in Lower Paleozoic ?Debate and controversy: pride and prejudice (Sedgwick, Murchison and Lapworth) |
Chapter 10 Tony Elger |
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19 |
Plate tectonics Moving continents Present world plate movements |
Park: chapter 5 Peter Ward |
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April |
2 |
Finding faults in East Lothian Central valley of Scotland Normal, reverse and wrench faults |
Park: chapter 6 |
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16 |
David McAdam memorial lecture Geology of East Lothian |
Fiona McGibbon |
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April |
30 |
?Pentland Hills or Antarctica |
Tom? TBC |
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May |
7th |
Field trips begin |
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Link to October 2025 edition of Down to Earth Extra magazine:
https://mcusercontent.com/5e1ddb80db2745d7dda6fef1b/files/573f672b-67a8-e1df-2f0c-94c4c5cc17bc/DtoE_extra_October_2025.pdf
Important documents
Before a field trip
1. Personal risk assessment – u3a guidance for use before taking part in any interest group:
If you suffer from a significant medical condition that might cause difficulties for yourself or others, take medical advice and consider discussing the issue with the group leader. It is not essential to disclose health details to the group leader or to anyone else.
People who fit within the higher at risk groups (or who are supporting such individuals) should take particular care when making decisions about attendance, with due consideration of the risks associated with Covid-19. It hasn’t gone away yet!
Do not attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19, or if you, or anyone you have been in close contact with, or has tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 10 days. The main symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of smell or taste. Sore throat, a runny nose or diarrhoea can also indicate infection with covid-19.
The leader will have carried out a risk assessment of the excursion and will highlight any particular issues in advance of the walk and at the start.
2. u3aSafety disclaimer
The person responsible for your safety and happiness on a walk is yourself. The u3a leader will lead the walk and will carry a basic first aid kit but he/she may not have specific medical training. The walk leaders will show their group the route and will lead the way but it is up to the individual to take care and to know their own capabilities and limitations.
3. Activities and outings disclaimer
Members participating in group activities and outings do so at their own risk. As a
result members should be confident that they are fit enough to take part. If in any doubt
members should seek medical advice and discuss with the group leader.
Members must therefore take full personal responsibility for the decision to
participate.
Note that although u3a activities and outings are covered by third party Public Liability insurance, there is NO personal accident insurance cover. You may wish to check that your personal insurers cover you for these activities.
Declaration
I have read the above information regarding participation in U3A activities and
outings and understand that it is up to me to make sure that I can do the activity
and outing safely.
I am solely and fully responsible for my decision to take part.
4. Data protection – Sharing personal information
I agree to my contact details (name, email address, emergency contact phone number, and mobile number,)
being recorded by the Group Leader, Deputies + trip organisers for the purpose of organising excursions. I also agree to my contact details being shared between
other members of the group for the purpose of arranging outings.
- After the walk
If you develop symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of an indoor geology meeting or a field trip inform Helen Horn at 07980 742384 or 01368 864331
Suggested basic books for new members and for revision:
Alan McKirdy “Set In Stone. The geology and landscapes of Scotland”.
Graham Park “Introducing geology” 3rd edition Park, G. 2006 (third edition 2019). Introducing Geology. A guide to the world of rocks. Dunedin Academic Press: Edinburgh. ISBN 978-1-78046-075-8 A guide to the world of rocks.
The group uses these 2 books as course books to support our talks.
Other useful books:
Landscape fashioned by geology:
a series of 20 booklets organised by region and available as printed booklets or as free downloads from:https/www.scottishgeologytrust.org/geology/resources/introductory-publications/#landscape-fashioned-by-geology
Other useful books:
Emeleus, C.H. Tertiary Igneous Activity. 357-397 in Craig, G.Y. (Editor) 1983. Geology of Scotland (second edition). Scottish Academic Press Ltd: Edinburgh ISBN 0 7073 0316 8
Lamb, S. and Sington, D. 1998. Earth Story, the shaping of our world. BBC Books: London ISBN 0 563 38799 8
McAdam, AD & Clarkson, ENK. (Editors) 1996 Lothian Geology, An Excursion Guide. Edinburgh Geological Society c/o British Geological Survey. ISBN 0 904440 06 0
Muir Wood, R. 1978. On the Rocks, a Geology of Britain. British Broadcasting Corporation: London ISBN 0 563 16211
Additional books and maps you might like to consider:
Eicher, D.L. 1976. Geologic Time. Prentice-Hall International, Inc: London ISBN0-13-352500-7
Bishop A.C., Woolley AR, Hamilton W.R., & 1999. Philip’s Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils. Published by Philips in association with the Natural History museum. ISBN978-0-540-07429-7 (Previously published as the Hamlyn Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils)
Institute of Geological Sciences (NERC). 1978. Haddington Scotland Sheet 33W & Part of 41.
Solid Edition. 1:50 000 Series
Jerram, D. 2011. Introducing Volcanology A Guide to Hot Rocks. Dunedin Academic Press Ltd: Edinburgh. ISBN 978-1-906716-22-6
Jones, S. 2014. Introducing Sedimentology. Dunedin Academic Press Ltd: Edinburgh. ISBN 978-1-780-46017-8
Peacock, S. 2021. Geology for Walkers. ISBN 9798595445238
Wyse Jackson, P. N. 2010. Introducing Palaeontology – A Guide to Ancient Life. Dunedin Academic Press Ltd: Edinburgh. ISBN 978-1-90671-615-8
Sanders, I. 2018. Introducing Metamorphism. Dunedin Academic Press Ltd: Edinburgh. ISBN 978-1-780460-64-2
Collecting and Conservation (sites and the all-important codes)
Scottish fossil code:https://www.nature.scot/landforms-and-geology/protecting-our-geodiversity/codes-researchers-and-collectors/scottish-fossil-code
Selected References:
BM(NH). 1975. British Palaeozoic Fossils. British Museum (Natural History): London ISBN 0 565 05624 7
Conserving Scotland’s rocks, fossils and landforms [leaflet]. Scottish Natural Heritage Crofts, R. and 8 others. 2020. Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 31. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN
Digne Declaration. 1991. https://www.bing.com/search?q=DIGNE+DECLARATION&form=ANNNB1&refig=9b75902c92224fa7a5aeb032e6d8bdd2
Geological Conservation Review Series. Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Perterborough Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve [leaflet]. Scottish Natural HeritageNorth West Highlands Rock Route [leaflet]. Scottish Natural Heritage
Lothian and borders geoconservation leaflets (previously RIGS) : https://www.scottishgeology.com/find-out-more/geoconservation
Scottish Fossil Code [leaflet] Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Fossil Code. 2008. Scottish Natural Heritage https://www.nature.scot/landforms-and-geology/protecting-our-geodiversity/codes-researchers-and-collectors/scottish-fossil-code
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (nature.scot)
Stone, P. and 4 others. 2012. British Regional Geology: South of Scotland (4th edition). BGS: Keyworth, Nottingham
Some further links:
Down to Earth Extra: https://geosupplies.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5e1ddb80db2745d7dda6fef1b&id=a4e9426bb7&e=8b962304ae
British Geological Survey: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/
Helping to safeguard Skye’s fossil heritage https://www.nature.scot/landforms-and-geology/protecting-our-geodiversity/codes-researchers-and-collectors/helping-safeguard-skyes-fossil-heritage-faqs
Lothian and Borders geoconservation (previously Riggs group) https://www.scottishgeology.com/find-out-more/geoconservation
Geoconservation leaflets: https://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/home/geoconservation/
National Nature Reserves in Scotland https://www.nnr.scot
Scottish Geoparks https://www.scottishgeology.com/geopark
Scottish natural heritage “East Lothian and the Borders a landscape fashioned by geology”
NatureScot https://www.nature.scot
UNESCO https://www.unesco.org
The following books can be borrowed by asking Helen Horn (helen.m.horn@gmail.com):
| Title | Author / Editor | Publisher | Edition | Date | |
| Arthur’s Seat Journeys and Evocations | Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith | Luath Press | 1st | 2012 | |
| Edinburgh Geology : An excursion guide | G.H. Mitchell, E.K. Walton and Douglas Grant | Edinburgh Geological Society | 1st | 1960 | |
| Edinburgh Rock : The Geology of Lothian | Euan Clarkson and Brian Upton | Dunedin Academic Press | 1st | 2006 | |
| The Epochs of Nature | Georges-Louis Leclerc | The University of Chicago Press | 1st | 2018 | edited and translated by Jan Zalasiewicz, Anne-Sophie Milon and Mateusz Zalasiewicz |
| Excursion Guide to the Geology of Arran | Murray MacGregor | Geological Society of Glasgow | 2nd | 1972 | |
| The Geology of Britain An Introduction | Peter Toghill | Airlife publishing | 1st | 2013 | |
| The Geology of The Lothians and South East Scotland : An excursion guide | G.Y. Craig and P. McL. D. Duff | Scottish Academic Press | 1st | 1975 | |
| Geology and Landscapes of Scotland | Conn Gillen | Terra | 1st | 2003 | |
| The Geology of Scotland | Nigel H. Trewin | The Geological Society | 4th | 2002 | |
| Geology of Scotland | G.Y. Craig | Scottish Academic Press | 2nd | 1983 | |
| Great Geologists | M.D. Simmons | Halliburton | 1st | 2018 | |
| James Hutton – Present and Future | G.Y. Craig and J.H. Hull | Geological Society, London | 1st | 1999 | Special publication no. 150 |
| James Hutton The Founder of modern Geology | Donald B. McIntyre and Alan McKirdy | The Stat
ionery Office |
1st | 1997 | |
| On The Map | Simon Garfield | Profile Books Ltd | 2013 | ||
| Revolutions in the Earth : James Hutton and the true age of the World | Stephen Baxter | Widenfeld and Nicholson | 1st | 2003 | |
| The Man who found Time | Jack Repcheck | Pocket Books | 1st | 2004 | |
| The Map that changed the World | Simon Winchester | Penguin Books | 1st | 2002 |
Useful websites for study
East Lothian’s Geoheritage
SNH Guide to the Landscapes of East LothianSNH Guide to the Landscapes of East Lothian – Search (bing.com)
An excursion guide to many of the sites we’ve visited, and some we haven’t (yet)
Links to many more sites in East Lothian, with photos
Downloads for GeoConservation leaflets
BGS website with news and many links
Scottish Geology, Publications and websites
Links to the geology of various parts of Scotland and EGS publications
SNH, Landforms and geology, Scotland’s Geodiversity