News

The latest news and information from EGS, including updates on our excursion and lecture programmes, and any other news we think you might find interesting or useful. Please let us know of anything important that we could share with others, by email or using our Contact Form.

Clough Medal Lecture 2024-25

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Mike (right) being presented with his Clough Medal 2024 by Mark, our President

On 26 February 2025 our annual Clough Medal lecture took place at the Grant Institute, Kings Buildings Campus, University of Edinburgh and also held online. The audience for this year’s lecture was again sizable, both physically present and on-line.  Proceedings for the evening were chaired by Alastair Milne, Lectures Secretary.

Our president, Mark Wilkinson, explained that the Clough Medal was established in 1935 and is given each year to a person whose original work has materially increased the knowledge of the geology of Scotland and/or the north of England, or one working in Scotland or the north of England who has significantly advanced the knowledge of any aspect of geology.

The medallist for 2024/25 was Mike AE Browne (formerly BGS Edinburgh) who gave a lecture entitled “Geoconservation in Scotland”.  Beforehand, he was presented with his medal by Mark Wilkinson.

Mike used his lecture to cover the full breadth of activities around Geoconservation in Scotland, that he (& others – David McAdam, Elspeth Urquhart, Clifton Porteous, Victor Patridge, John Sheldon and Archie Miller to name but a few) had been involved over the last few decades.  His introductory slide provided a summary of his talk: i) Useful Carboniferous Stratigraphy; ii) Beginnings of Scottish Geoconservation; iii) International Conservation Accolades; iv) National Designations: SSSIs; v) Regional Accolades; vi) Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) System and vii) Possible New Conservation Sites. In virtually all aspects, Mike has made a valuable contribution and been a leading light in many for over 50 years.

Mike estimated that he had spent roughly even split of his time on the Devonian and Carboniferous strata. This is reflected in his co-authorship of the relevant chapters of both the 4th and 5th editions of “The Geology of Scotland”. He has worked on both national and local government projects, particularly in connection with geothermal energy where his work over many years continues to form an important reference source.  He has been committed to education, having supervised a number of PhD students, and to the promotion of geology to the wider community.  He has also been the Chair of GeoConservation UK for a number of years and continues to Chair Lothian and Borders GeoConservation.

Mike has also made a valuable contribution to the EGS, having been first elected to Council in 1986, he has served as a Vice-President on three separate occasions, was our acting President in 2022-23 and Assistant Secretary (Geoconservation) from 2017 to present.

The vote of thanks was given by Alastair Milne who said that geoconservation requires work and which Mike had demonstrated in spade loads. He said that we all need to be inspired by Mike’s work.  Finally, Mike made a plea to everyone to take more photos of geoconservation sites and to share them with the relevant bodies, for instance through the Scottish Geology Trust’s Geosites project.

If Members weren’t able to attend physically or virtually, a recording of Mike’s lecture is now available on our YouTube channel.

Beach Explorers at the Edinburgh Science Festival

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Tuesday 15th / Wednesday 16th / Thursday 17th / Friday 18th April 2025, 10am to 1pm

Join geologists from the Edinburgh Geological Society exploring geology on local beaches.

Find out about the stories hidden under our feet and in every pebble. We’ll discover an amazing variety of different pebbles, find out where they come from and what they tell us about Scotland’s geology.

Please dress for the weather. Warm clothing and strong footwear advised. Events take place close to access points but you may need to walk up to 100 metres on sand or pebbles and negotiate ramps or steps. Children must be accompanied by an adult and all participants require a free ticket.

Tuesday 15th April, 10am to 1pm: Wardie Bay – book here
Meet on the beach east of the Granton Harbour breakwater, Lower Granton Road, Wardie, EH5 1BS
what3words.com/adding.hood.rocks

Wednesday 16th April, 10am to 1pm: Joppa, Portobello – book here
Meet on the beach beside the pumping station, Esplanade Terrace, Joppa EH15 2ES what3words.com/chill.sport.marble

Thursday 17th April, 10am to 1pm: White Sands Beach, East Lothian – book here
meet on the beach at the east end of White Sands, 4km east of Dunbar, reached by a narrow road located off the A1087. Nearest postcode EH42 1RU what3words.com/booklets.geology.sloping

Friday 18th April, 10am to 1pm: Seafield Beach, Kirkcaldy – book here
meet on the beach near Seafield Tower, 1km south along Fife Coastal Path from car park at Seafield Road, Kirkcaldy KY1 1PE. Car park what3words.com/matter.sorry.amber Event location what3words.com/globe.submit.puddles.

 

Event locations

New leaflet added to the impressive collection produced by Lothian and Borders GeoConservation

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The Lothian and Borders GeoConservation volunteer group are delighted to launch a new leaflet on the buildings in the the eastern part of Edinburgh’s First New Town. Around St Andrew Square has been written by Andrew McMillan, and demonstrates the geology preserved in the largely sandstone masonry of a selection of neoclassical buildings and monuments around St Andrew Square. These buildings were constructed in the late 18th and early 19th century. Imported rock types (largely igneous and metamorphic) employed in more recent architecture also feature. Richly illustrated by many photos by Andrew and Mike Browne, and laid out in an attractive format by Barry Tymon, this is a fantastic new addition to the suite of leaflets produced by the group.

You can download the leaflet or order a printed copy from the Geoconservation leaflets page.

This is the 36th leaflet produced by Lothian and Borders Geoconservation, an incredible volunteer effort over the last 20 years. All these leaflets are available as pdf downloads, and most are also available as a printed version for a small fee. If you appreciate the effort that has gone in to produce these resources, or have any feedback or suggestions, please Contact Us. And new volunteers to join the group are always welcome!

Fellows’ Night 2024 – No. 191!

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Fellows’ Night 2024

On 11th December 2024, the Edinburgh Geological Society held its 191st Fellows’ Night at the Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh. This meeting takes place each year, close to the anniversary of the foundation of the Society (on 6th December).

The Cockburn Museum, and close by lecture rooms provided the backdrop for a fun and lively event comprising a series of short talks which were given by members, and with time in between to enjoy some nibbles and refreshments.

Our host for this in-person event was Angus Miller (our Promotion Coordinator).  Three speakers were lined up for this event with varied topics from Geopoetry, the history of Oil Exploration in Scotland and the Brora Sandstone/Scottish land mass evolution.

Our first speaker was Patrick Corbett (Emeritus Prof of Petroleum Geology at Heriot Watt University).  He explained what the term Geopoetry was and its origins, and updated us on the sad passing away of its founder Kenneth White from Fairlie in 2023.  He explained how a conference had been held in Burlington House (HQ of the Geological Society of London) – a first for the esteemed organisation.  A proceeding of this event is due to be published in the new year.  Patrick also read a poem about Isle of Luing, written on piece of slate from the island in the Firth of Lorn.

Second up was Simeon Brown (a former oil industry geologist who has work in both Africa and in various European countries), and who had kindly offered to talk through the development of the oil industry in Scotland since 1850.  From the first observed seeps at St Katherine’s “Balm” Well, in Liberton through to the extensive extraction of oil shales near Livingstone (and their legacy waste piles of the Bings).  He then covered the onshore “nodding donkeys” wells and more recently the Coal Bed Methane pilot site near Airth between 2008-15. A fascinating picture was outlined and set against a consideration of climate change through the same period – alongside recent volcanic eruptions which may also have played a part (and which has been captured by Turner’s paintings and Icelandic proverb which he shared).

Thirdly, Mark Williamson (EGS President and Professor of GeoEnergy at the University of Edinburgh) described his regular geological visits with undergraduate students to the Jurassic age Brora Sandstone Formation outcrops around Helmsdale, Northeast Scotland. These sequences are model for the North Sea and with the dynamic coastal processes regularly providing new things to see.  One such find was of a series of pebbles in the sandstone and their origin has lead Mark on an investigation of possible sources for this fluvial derived material.  He hypothesised that its origin may be from the outcrops on the South side of Moray Firth, meaning that in order for this to be emplaced, then the land mass to the south must have been shedding material all across the area which is now the Moray Firth marine environment.  Hence, the shoreline of Nor Scotland may not have been quite so static as others, including Prof John Judd FGS might have thought.

In conclusion, Angus said that as with all good Fellows’ Nights we had ranged extensively across the various topics but that all had strange inter-linkages reflecting how geology informs all aspects of our lives.  We finished off the evening with a vote of thanks to the speakers and also, to Bob Gatliff (former EGS President) who had so kindly done the food and drink shopping for another year.

We look forward to many more Fellows’ Nights like this in the future.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Centennial Celebration of the Life & Works of Sir Archibald Geikie (1835-1924)

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8-9 November 2024 at Haslemere Museum, Surrey

Come join us at Haslemere Museum in celebration of the renowned Victorian geologist Sir Archibald Geikie. This two-day event aims to celebrate his life and work in the United Kingdom and internationally, as well as highlighting his local connections here in Haslemere and the celebrated Geikie Archive now in the care of the Museum.

We will be holding a series of lectures in house and live streamed, including from eminent speakers from the world of geoscience and members of the Geikie family. The wider programme also includes arts and crafts sessions and children’s activities relating to the Geikie collections. An evening fundraising Ceilidh music and dance event will be held, offering fun for all ages!

There will also be a major exhibition displaying some objects from the Museum’s globally significant Geikie Archive collection.

Guests are invited to sign up for some or all of the entire weekend programme of events, attending either in person or online

Programme details

The 5th edition of The Geology of Scotland

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It has been a long wait, but the 5th edition of The Geology of Scotland has been published! The new book is a major update and expansion, with a wide spectrum of contributors, full-colour figures and photographs and Topic Boxes in each chapter highlighting key research developments and challenges.

The Edinburgh Geological Society hosted the launch of the new book at Dynamic Earth on 4th September 2024. Almost 30 chapter authors joined the editors and representatives of the Geological Society of London and other organisations for the launch event, which was enjoyed by all and served as a suitable celebration for the hard work over many years to produce the new volume.

EGS members can purchase a copy at a reduced price (£54 paperback or £78 hardback) direct from the Geological Society of London geolsoc.org.uk/goscot5p

Dr Colin Braithwaite awarded Honorary Fellowship

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Edinburgh Geological Society takes great pleasure in bestowing an Honorary Fellowship to Dr Colin Braithwaite, for services to the Scottish Journal of Geology. Colin served as editor of the journal from the 1980s, and as Editor in Chief from 2014 to 2023. The fellowship was awarded to Colin at the launch of the 5th edition of The Geology of Scotland at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, along with a quaich from the geological societies of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

New James Hutton website in preparation for the Hutton tercentenary in 2026

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The Edinburgh Geological Society has funded and organised a significant update and revamp of the james-hutton.org website. This website was originally developed in 2006 by Denise Walton and the Borders Foundation for Rural Sustainability, as part of a James Hutton Trail in the Scottish Borders. The partners involved in plans for the Hutton tercentenary in 2026, including EGS and the James Hutton Institute, agreed that a new website would be a useful focus for the tercentenary. EGS worked with web designer Gordon Lang to create the new website, which went live in July 2024 and will be maintained and further developed by EGS in the future. Comments welcome, and if you visit the site you can sign up to a Newsletter to be kept informed of tercentenary plans.

Visit the new website at james-hutton.org

Putting Scotland’s Geosites on the map

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The Scottish Geology Trust’s Geosites project launched in June 2023. This ambitious new project intends to put all of Scotland’s best geology sites on an interactive, online map, making it easy for anyone to find sites, learn about them, and report any damage or deteriorating conditions.

Almost 30 volunteers have been involved so far, visiting over 100 sites in the Geological Conservation Review. Although several sites were reported as overgrown and difficult to access, it is heartening that thus far we have discovered no significant geoconservation concerns. And the project website https://geosites.scottishgeologytrust.org/ is rapidly developing into an incredibly useful resource for identifying interesting geological sites to visit across Scotland.

We intend to develop this project further over the coming years, creating a one-stop portal for finding out about geological sites in Scotland, getting a quick overview and access to the detail published in the Geological Conservation Review and other sources. You will be able to find information about access and the best spots to visit, view recent photographs and contribute your own reports. We’d love to get more people involved, and there is a lot of desk work to be done even if you aren’t able to visit sites. Please get in touch with Angus Miller angus@scottishgeologytrust.org

Grant Inst Lecture Theatre

Clough Medal Lecture 2023/24

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Tony Prave presentation

Tony being presented with Clough Medal 2023-24

Our annual Clough Medal lecture took place on 28th February at the Grant Institute, Kings Buildings Campus, University of Edinburgh and also broadcast online. The audience for this years’ lecture was well over 100 (50+ in person and 54 on line).  Whether the fact that the lecture was preceded by a “pizza and pop” event, kindly supported by a donation from an EGS Fellow, or whether it was cohort of Tony Prave’s supporters from the University of St Andrews, it did make for a great atmosphere on the evening.

Graham Leslie, Chair of the Clough Committee had the honours of explaining that the Clough Medal was established in 1935 and is given each year to a person who has contributed to a geologist whose original work has materially increased the knowledge of the geology of Scotland and/or the north of England, or one working in Scotland or the north of England who has significantly advanced the knowledge of any aspect of geology.

The medallist for 2023/24 was Professor Antony (Tony) Prave (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews) who gave a lecture entitled “There is nothing left to learn about this scrap of NW Europe”.  He was presented with his medal by Mark Wilkinson, President of Edinburgh Geological Society.

Tony Prave started his academic career at The City University of New York in USA, before coming to the University of St Andrews in 1996 as a Senior Lecturer.  For the subsequent 27 years, he has carried a wide range of research; with two programmes having had particular scientific impact: that concerned with the Neoproterozoic, and that with the Palaeoproterozoic. In each case the modus operandi has been the same: (1) meticulous and painstaking fieldwork conducted from a base of deep theoretical knowledge and an open mind; (2) careful screening of samples through petrography and geochemistry; (3) advanced isotope geochemical analyses; and (4) imaginative interpretation of the data within the geological and field context. The impact of his published oeuvre has been substantial and paradigm changing.

Tony has brought new ideas, fresh thinking and novel approaches to study of the Dalradian sequences in both Scotland and Ireland. The complex geological – and especially metamorphic – history and the paucity of robust geochronology resulted in a wealth of opinion and speculation, sometimes dressed up as coherent theory. One grizzled veteran is known to have grouched about Prave’s “Olympian disregard of 40 years of research on the Dalradian”, but as his lecture demonstrated, it was merely that he pointed out that the evidence-base for previous thinking was weak.  Instead, Tony conceived fresh ideas from carefully selected samples of carbonate that might be suitable for carbon isotope chemostratigraphy – pace the adherents of metamorphic overprint – and in this he was spectacularly vindicated (Prave et al. 2009 J.Geol.Soc.Lond.). He has also had significant projects in Namibia and Death Valley, and was a central player with Simone Kasemann and others in applying novel isotopic approaches (including boron, calcium and magnesium isotope ratios) to some classic “Snowball Earth” sections in Namibia.

For the Palaeoproterozoic and the consequences of the Great Oxidation Event (oxygenation of the Earth’s surface) around 2.4Ga, Tony thorough work originated at the Loch Maree Group, became a key player in the multinational Fennoscandia Arctic Russia – Drilling Early Earth Project (FAR-DEEP). He was closely involved in successful funding initiatives to ICDP and NERC and was co-editor on three substantial volumes (each exceeding 500 pages) published by Springer in 2012/13. He followed this success with a similar-scale international drilling project on equivalent age sequences in Gabon.

The vote of thanks was given by Prof Tony Fallick FRSE, FRSA, FMinSoc (Clough Medal, 2013/14). He paid tribute to Tony’s perseverance in proving the doubters wrong on so many occasions and to ensuring that it’s the rocks that cannot lie.  It had been Tony’s ideas and drive that had brought success to the excellent teams both at University of St Andrews and also further afield, and in so doing he is a truly worthy recipient of the Clough Medal.  He asked for thank you from the audience present and online for the speaker and this was duly done by all.

If Fellows weren’t able to attend physically or virtually, a recording of the lecture is available here.