Key Scottish site for understanding rapid climate change gains Geological Heritage Site status
Honorary Professor Colin Ballantyne and Professor John Gordon, along with colleagues from multiple institutions, successfully petitioned for Glen Roy, a unique geological site in the Scottish Highlands, to be recognized as a Geological Heritage Site by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The 2023 application, submitted in collaboration with members from Royal Holloway, University of London, nominated the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, near Fort William, for its scientific significance in the ‘History of Geology’ category.
For the past 25 years, this area has been central to research, teaching, and outreach at both Royal Holloway and St Andrews, as well as other UK universities. The research has deepened understanding of the landscape’s evolution at the end of the last ice age, focusing on the iconic glacial lake shorelines that contributed to the development of the Glacial Theory in the 19th century. Since the 1840s, studies of the landforms, sediments, and chronology in the area have shaped our understanding of rapid landscape evolution and environmental change at the close of the last glaciation.
Professor Gordon noted, “Glen Roy will join other internationally recognized sites such as Hutton’s Unconformity at Siccar Point (Scotland), the Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland), Uluru (Australia), the Grand Canyon (USA), and Yosemite Valley (USA), marking its place in geoscience history.”
Dr Adrian Palmer, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, added, “The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy are distinctive features in the British landscape. These features sparked significant scientific interest in the 19th century, with Darwin, Agassiz, and Jamieson proposing theories about their origin. Darwin’s marine shoreline theory was rejected in favour of Agassiz’s ice age hypothesis, which identified the roads as former glacial lake shorelines.
“Recent research, including detailed landform analysis and sediment examination, has refined our understanding of how these lake systems evolved over time. By establishing annual chronologies of the glacial lakes, we can now pinpoint their formation, duration, and the pace of ice retreat. This data helps predict how modern ice caps may respond to future climate change.”
The IUGS announced the inclusion of the Second 100 Geological Heritage Sites at its 37th International Geological Congress (IGC) in Busan, Republic of Korea, on August 27. More than 700 experts from 80 nations participated in this global initiative, which further solidifies the recognition of geological heritage.
Like the First 100, the Second 100 sites are recognized for their exceptional scientific value, showcasing some of the Earth’s most significant geological features and discoveries. This recognition will increase visibility for these sites, enhancing their role as educational resources and, most importantly, supporting their preservation.