Kinlochlaggan Boulder Beds
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Dalradian | Favourable | — | 2014-01-16 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Limestone, Quartzite, Schist
Landscape processes: Glacial
Description
KINLOCHLAGGAN BOULDER BEDS The Kinlochlaggan Boulder Beds SSSI is located 1 km east of Loch Laggan in Badenoch. The site extends along the northern side of the A86 road for about 600 m. The Kinlochlaggan Boulder Beds is the only “boulder beds” found within the ‘Appin Group’ of the ‘Dalradian Supergroup’ of rocks. Dalradian rocks were formed between 800-500 million years ago with the Appin group forming probably around 700 million years ago. The rocks were originally marine sediments which subsequently underwent major deformation by high pressures and extreme temperatures resulting in alteration to form hard crystalline metamorphic rocks. Boulder beds are rock layers which contain large boulders in a finer-grained matrix. The boulders are interpreted as having been carried out to sea by floating icebergs and deposited on the sea floor when the ice melted. Boulder beds are therefore environmental indicators of a cold, glacial, period. Boulder beds are rare within Dalradian rocks, with the majority occurring at the base of the ‘Argyll Group’, which overlies (is younger than) the Appin Group. This site contains the best exposure of the Kinlochlaggan Boulder Bed and has high value as a future research site. The Kinlochlaggan Boulder Beds is underlain by the Kinlochlaggan Quartzite and the Monadhliath Schist, and is overlain by the Kinlochlaggan Limestone.