Hill of Longhaven
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Quaternary of Scotland | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2011-05-17 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Neogene, Quaternary · Rock Type: Granite
Landscape processes: Glacial, Volcanic / Igneous
Description
HILL OF LONGHAVEN The Hill of Longhaven, located 6km to the south-west of Peterhead, is of considerable geomorphological interest for a classic exposure of the deeply weathered granite of north-east Scotland. The exposure shows one of the best examples of the granular disintegration of granite to a poorly coherent ‘grus’, which is the product of long-continued weathering processes under humid-temperate conditions beginning in the Neogene and continuing through the Quaternary interglacial periods. Hill of Longhaven provides a particularly vivid example of the weathering processes that have contributed to the shaping of the present landscape of Scotland. Its survival is also significant in indicating the relatively low impact of glacial erosion in north-east Scotland.