Blog Archives

Pavement Palaeontology in the press

Back in the dark days of December I took Teddy Jameson, a senior features writer for the Herald, and his colleague Gordon round some sites in central Edinburgh. Most of the sites are ones that I visit on the Pavement

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Posted in Geological Walks (urban), Scotland

Do try this at home: Taphonomy with the kids’ toys

Another dinosaur excavation kit, accompanied by a fine selection of supporting materials, appeared in the house among the Christmas presents. The block with the plastic remains of the inevitable T. rex was larger than usual. And that made all the difference

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Posted in Geodiversity, Palaeonotology

Bavelaw

Wintery conditions have finally arrived in the lower hills in the Central Belt of Scotland. In the Pentlands the snow is lying but azure polar skies and mists as the sun gains strength afforded some spectacular views today while I

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Posted in Geodiversity, Pentlands

Snakestone specimen in the Cockburn

Dactilyoceras commune is a Lower Jurassic ammonoid often found in the sea cliffs of the Yorkshire Coast. Around Whitby they are common enough to feature on the coat of arms of the town in triplicate. However, these ammonoids have heads

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Posted in Geodiversity

Hills of Hame now offering some urban exploration of Edinburgh via Airbnb experiences

Fossil fish and ammonoids on the streets beside famous landmarks? Hiking within sight of the centre of Edinburgh, but not among the crowds in Holyrood Park? Hills of Hame has offered these experiences, and others, since start-up in 2014. However, uptake from

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Posted in Geological Walks, Geological Walks (urban), Scotland

Ochils geological trip

After running another of my Pentland walks for Mountain Training Association members, based on the Lothian and Borders GeoConservation leaflet Pentland Rocks!, I got some interested parties for a trip to the Ochils on a day that suited some people

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Posted in Geodiversity, Geological Walks, Mountain Training, Pentlands, Woodlands

A walk in the Craigmillar WIAT (Woods in and Around Towns)

The days are getting shorter, so the chance to get out and top up the Vitamin D whenever I fancy is one of the undoubted benefits of self-employment. When I can combine it with some geological work, even better. Hills

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Posted in Geodiversity, Geological Walks (urban), Scotland, Woodlands

Slouching towards e-Commerce at Hills of Hame to offer some discounted urban walks on 4, 11 & 18 November

  The sun is shining here in Edinburgh,the air is pleasantly chilly and I am looking out of the window at the southern side of Salisbury Crags and the Lion’s Haunch and Sampson’s Ribs from the window while I work

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Posted in Geodiversity, Geological Walks (urban), Scotland

Updated: Tale of a cragfast geology student from Strabeg bothy book

Update: The person who ended up stuck on the slope got in touch with me to give me additional details and, in particular, point out that they had a whistle, compass-clinometer and phone on them but were unable to use

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Posted in Geodiversity, Mountains, Navigation, Scotland

Harlaw Reservoir wanderings

Harlaw is part of a network of reservoirs that were built in the 19th century to supply the city with clean, fresh water. The network now extends deep into the Scottish Borders around Talla but the Pentland Hills contain numerous

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Posted in Geodiversity, Geological Walks (low-level), Pentlands, Scotland, Uncategorized
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