Volcanoes, Sea Cliffs, and Ancient Landscapes: A Geology Tour of Dunbar with @ScottishGeologist
Join @ScottishGeologist for a fascinating geology tour of Dunbar, East Lothian—where dramatic sea cliffs, ancient volcanic rocks, and striking sedimentary layers reveal a story that stretches back hundreds of millions of years. Dunbar offers one of the best accessible coastal geology sites in Scotland, combining bold scenery with evidence of volcanic eruptions, desert environments, and tectonic uplift
What to Expect
🌋 Explore Ancient Volcanic Rocks
Walk along Dunbar’s rugged coastline and see the remains of ancient volcanoes that erupted during the Devonian Period, around 360 million years ago. These include striking basalt and andesite lava flows, as well as volcanic ash layers that help reconstruct the explosive past of this region.
🏜️ Sand Dunes and Riverbeds of a Bygone Desert
See beautifully preserved red sandstones and conglomerates, which formed in a semi-arid river system when this part of Scotland lay near the equator. You’ll learn to identify cross-bedding, channel features, and even fossil soil horizons—all clues to Dunbar’s ancient desert-like conditions.
🌊 Erosion and Sea Cliff Formation
Observe how ongoing marine erosion is sculpting the cliffs today. Learn how softer rocks are worn away faster than the harder volcanic ones, creating features like sea stacks and wave-cut platforms—perfect examples of dynamic coastal geomorphology.
🧭 Guided Coastal Walk
Take a guided walk along the John Muir Country Park and surrounding coastline, stopping at key outcrops to discuss:
Volcanic rock textures
Sedimentary structures
Geological faults and unconformities
The influence of geology on human history and land use
📚 Geology Meets History
Hear how Dunbar’s rocks were used in historic buildings, and how geology influenced the development of the town. Even the castle ruins are built into a sea stack of volcanic rock!
Who Should Attend?
This tour is ideal for:
Geology enthusiasts and students
Families and curious beginners
Nature lovers and walkers
No prior geological experience is needed—just an interest in Scotland’s ancient story and comfortable walking shoes.
Event Details
📍 Location: Dunbar, East Lothian
🗓️ Date: Sunday 31st August 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00-14:00
🎟️ Price: meet us there £20pp, transport from Glasgow £30
Distance: 2-3kms
Why Join This Tour?
Led by @ScottishGeologist, this engaging, hands-on tour will change the way you see landscapes forever. Dunbar offers the perfect natural laboratory for exploring deep time, volcanic activity, desert geology, and coastal change—all within a short walk from the town centre.
Volcanoes, Sea Cliffs, and Ancient Landscapes: A Geology Tour of Dunbar with @ScottishGeologist
Join @ScottishGeologist for a fascinating geology tour of Dunbar, East Lothian—where dramatic sea cliffs, ancient volcanic rocks, and striking sedimentary layers reveal a story that stretches back hundreds of millions of years. Dunbar offers one of the best accessible coastal geology sites in Scotland, combining bold scenery with evidence of volcanic eruptions, desert environments, and tectonic uplift
What to Expect
🌋 Explore Ancient Volcanic Rocks
Walk along Dunbar’s rugged coastline and see the remains of ancient volcanoes that erupted during the Devonian Period, around 360 million years ago. These include striking basalt and andesite lava flows, as well as volcanic ash layers that help reconstruct the explosive past of this region.
🏜️ Sand Dunes and Riverbeds of a Bygone Desert
See beautifully preserved red sandstones and conglomerates, which formed in a semi-arid river system when this part of Scotland lay near the equator. You’ll learn to identify cross-bedding, channel features, and even fossil soil horizons—all clues to Dunbar’s ancient desert-like conditions.
🌊 Erosion and Sea Cliff Formation
Observe how ongoing marine erosion is sculpting the cliffs today. Learn how softer rocks are worn away faster than the harder volcanic ones, creating features like sea stacks and wave-cut platforms—perfect examples of dynamic coastal geomorphology.
🧭 Guided Coastal Walk
Take a guided walk along the John Muir Country Park and surrounding coastline, stopping at key outcrops to discuss:
Volcanic rock textures
Sedimentary structures
Geological faults and unconformities
The influence of geology on human history and land use
📚 Geology Meets History
Hear how Dunbar’s rocks were used in historic buildings, and how geology influenced the development of the town. Even the castle ruins are built into a sea stack of volcanic rock!
Who Should Attend?
This tour is ideal for:
Geology enthusiasts and students
Families and curious beginners
Nature lovers and walkers
No prior geological experience is needed—just an interest in Scotland’s ancient story and comfortable walking shoes.
Event Details
📍 Location: Dunbar, East Lothian
🗓️ Date: Sunday 31st August 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00-14:00
🎟️ Price: meet us there £20pp, transport from Glasgow £30
Distance: 2-3kms
Why Join This Tour?
Led by @ScottishGeologist, this engaging, hands-on tour will change the way you see landscapes forever. Dunbar offers the perfect natural laboratory for exploring deep time, volcanic activity, desert geology, and coastal change—all within a short walk from the town centre.
