Welcome to the best geology in Scotland! In this tour of Arran’s geology, we will walk in the footsteps of James Hutton and discover crucial evidence that he used to support two aspects of his Theory of the Earth. Arran is the only location visited by Hutton in the 1780s where he was able to describe both an angular unconformity, and the intrusive nature of granite. This makes Arran a very special place to appreciate how field visits helped support and develop Hutton’s ideas on how the Earth works. The island also has many other geological treasures, giving an opportunity to explore the basics of geology and the wider story of Scotland’s geological past.

We’ll be based at the Lochranza Centre and will have access to the excellent Arran Geopark interpretation centre.

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’.

Day walk from Lochranza along the coast to Hutton's Unconformity and towards the Cock of Arran, discovering a range of rocks formed in different geological periods. If you want a longer, more adventurous walk there will be time to complete the circuit along the coast to Laggan and back over the hill.

Visit the granite contact at North Glen Sannox, where Hutton explored the relationship of granite intruding into Dalradian metamorphic rock. From there we can continue on rough ground into Glen Sannox, and visit a range of sedimentary rocks from the Devonian, Carboniferous and Permian periods on the shore between Glen Sannox and Corrie.

Day walk from Blackwaterfoot to the Kings Cave, taking in Triassic desert sandstones, reptile footprints and plenty of interesting dyke and sill intrusions on the raised beach.