Geology, petrology and geochemistry of Ailsa Craig, Ayrshire

The island of Ailsa Craig is well known not only as an
outstanding landmark to travellers by sea through the
North Channel and Firth of Clyde, but also as the source
of some of the world's finest curling stones. It is famous
geologically as the origin of 'marker' erratics found in
glacial deposits over wide areas around the Irish Sea.
Though Ailsa Craig is so familiar a feature, no detailed
study has previously been published, despite visits by
geologists to the island on numerous occasions. Landing
can be very difficult and access to much of the island is
hazardous, especially on the western upper parts which
are very steep and often slippery; of the other dangers to
the visitors, not the least is that of falling debris from the
vertical cliffs forming the southern and western coastline.