The 4th edition of Lothian Geology is in preparation, edited by Mark Wilkinson of the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. The book explores the connections between rocks, landscape and of course people. It is not necessary to be a geologist to appreciate the story. The aim is simply to encourage a different way of looking at familiar places: to see a hill not just as a hill, a cliff not just as a cliff, but as part of a much longer story. A walk through Lothian can become a journey through vanished volcanoes, ancient rivers and seas, shifting continents and advancing ice sheets. The geology of Edinburgh and Lothian is therefore much more than a collection of rocks. It is the foundation of the landscape, a record of environments that existed long before Scotland took its present form, and an important part of the region’s human history.
The new Lothian Geology guide provides ideas for half- or single-day excursions that will give the visitor a better understanding of the local geology, the history of the area and the landscape. It builds extensively on the three previous versions of the guidebook, and the present editor is grateful to the editors and authors of these books for their inspiration.
This is a work in progress. Further chapters will be added here as they become available. You are invited to contribute to new edition, by commenting on the content under development, or contributing new chapters. Please get in touch with Mark Wilkinson, president@edinburghgeolsoc.org.