Glen Tilt in Perthshire is world famous, due to the discoveries that James Hutton made here in 1785. In the boulders and rocky banks of the River Tilt, he explored beautiful contacts between older metamorphic rocks, and the younger, intrusive granite. This was the first place where Hutton deliberately set out to find evidence to support his grand Theory of the Earth; and it represents the first confirmation of the ‘plutonist’ theory, a major pillar of his understanding of how the Earth works, but which would remain controversial for decades after Hutton’s death.

The site at Glen Tilt is remote, 8 miles up the glen from Blair Atholl. This is a very special, one-off opportunity to follow Hutton’s footsteps, in the year that marks the Tercentenary of his birth in 1726. We will stay in Forest Lodge, as James Hutton did, and explore the rocks that Hutton found close by in the glen.

This is also an opportunity to study the main rocks of the Scottish Highlands, with beautiful outcrops of Dalradian metamorphic rocks and Caledonian granite. We will explore the modern understanding of these rocks, the landscapes they create, and gain an appreciation of how Hutton’s ideas on the formation of rocks and Earth processes have laid the foundations of geology and Scotland’s geological story.

We will have exclusive use of Forest Lodge in the Atholl Estate: a large, luxurious estate house (which has been extensively modernised since Hutton stayed here in 1785!). There are 11 bedrooms and large spaces for gathering and eating. All meals are provided, with sumptuous catering by Geowalks’ favourite cook, Katrin Bach from the Isle of Eigg.

Forest Lodge is located 8 miles along a private, unsurfaced estate track that is kept in good condition and is driveable by cars. Once at Forest Lodge, we will not need further transport as there is plenty to explore on foot. There is a train station at Blair Atholl, and lifts can be arranged from there.

A £50 non-refundable deposit secures your place, and the remaining fee is due 4 weeks in advance. After that point if you cannot attend, any refund will be at my discretion and normally only available if someone else is able to take your place.

In the unlikely event of the holiday being cancelled, you will be informed immediately and receive a full refund.

On booking, you need to accept these terms & conditions along with ‘Geowalks Guided Walks - Acceptance of Risk’.