Set in Stone: The Geology and Landscapes of Scotland

by Alan McKirdy

Set in Stone: The Geology and Landscapes of Scotland

£9.99

‘[A] concise and lavishly illustrated guide to the extraordinary landscape and geology of Scotland, a land mass that has traveled across the surface of the globe for 3,000 million years. The next time you look at a mountain, think about how it came to be there’ – Scotland Magazine

The land that was to become Scotland has travelled across the globe over the last 3,000 million years – from close to the South Pole to its current position. During these travels, there were many continental collisions, creating mountain belts as high as the present-day Himalayas. The Highlands of Scotland were formed in this way. Our climate too has changed dramatically over the last 3 billion years from the deep freeze of the Ice Age to scorching heat of the desert. And within a relatively short time – geologically speaking, we will plunge back into another ice age.

In Set in Stone, Alan McKirdy traces Scotland’s amazing geological journey, explaining for the non –specialist reader why the landscape looks the way it does todays. He also explores Scots and those working in Scotland have played a seminal role in the development of the science of geology, understanding Earth processes at a local and global scale.

Alan McKirdy has written many popular books and book chapters on geology and related topics and has helped to promote the study of environmental geology in schools. Before his recent retirement he was Head of Information Management at Scottish Natural Heritage. He is the author of Land of Mountain and Flood.