Ballagan Glen

Also within

Stirling and Falkirk County

Condition (NatureScot)

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Shale

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

BALLAGAN GLEN Ballagan Glen is a steep-sided glen on the south face of the Campsie Fells and less than a mile east of the village of Strathblane, to the north of Glasgow. The upper limit of the glen is a waterfall above a feature known as the Spout of Ballagan. The site is a classic section for rocks of the Carboniferous Cementstone Group. It is the type locality for the Ballagan Beds, a sequence dominated by cementstone-shale rhythms (‘regular lithological alternations’). The cyclical nature of the sedimentary sequence is well-displayed and many features of sedimentological interest occur. This is a key locality for studies of stratigraphy and sedimentation in the Dinantian rocks of Scotland. The underlying geology and soils have given rise to ancient deciduous gorge woodland with base-rich soils. The tree canopy is dominated by ash with frequent to occasional hazel, alder, bird cherry, birch, rowan and gean. The ground flora is characterised by species associated with these soil conditions and includes enchanter’s nightshade Circaea lutetiana, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, sweet woodruff Galium odoratum, yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum, and moschatel Adoxa moschatellina. The pendulous sedge Carex pendula occurs here at one of its few locations in the area. Wet ashwoods of this type are uncommon in the Stirling Council area, and this site, although relatively small, is very species-rich.

Species mentioned