A review of significant Quaternary geology sites in the Western Midland Valley of Scotland : targets for the Quaternary methods and training programme

This report reviews the potential for trial pitting the geologically significant Quaternary sites in the western Midland Valley of Scotland. The practice and methodologies of trial pitting to depths of 5-6 m are to be developed within BGS. Initially pitting is to be targeted on the important Quaternary sites in the Ayrshire area as important scientific information is to be gained in the trials. Ayrshire was chosen partly because of the debate about the origins of the shelly till as either in situ glaciomarine deposits or as glaciotectonised rafts and also because fieldwork is currently continuing in central Ayrshire. In particular, sites where there is evidence of a lower shelly till or clay overlain by interglacial deposits and/or an upper till are examined. Eleven sites together with their present state of scientific knowledge are reviewed and the potential for pitting at each site is assessed.
As a scientifically interesting site for trial pitting, Afton Lodge would appear to be the most likely to produce results in a safe environment. Besides the relationships of the clay to the adjacent till/s, there could be shell or plant material available for analysis or radiocarbon dating. If access to Afton Lodge was not available, similar sites near Bogend Burn or Raith Burn could be considered.