Geology
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Wishing Stone - Fiunary
Coire Gabhail - Glen Coe
The dramatic and varied landscape of Lochaber has a fascinating story to tell of ancient mountain building, fiery volcanic activity and glaciers carving out lochs and glens.
The Lochaber district displays many geological features of regional, national and international interest and importance. This is a classic area in which to study rocks associated with the Caledonian mountain belt. This massive mountain range used to stretch across a vast continent before the opening of the Atlantic Ocean split it apart.
The rocks of Lochaber give us a fascinating insight into the past climates that Scotland has experienced on its journey from the southern hemisphere to its current location. It is also unique among geoparks in having a record that includes not only ancient plate collisions but also more recent plate rifting. The early stages in the opening of the North Atlantic between Greenland and Europe produced dramatic volcanic activity in the western part of Lochaber.
The final moulding of the local landscape took place during the last Ice Age. There are many fine examples of features relating to glacial action in the area. For example, the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy and Lochaber are world famous and attracted the attention of many of the founding fathers of modern geology.
Find out more about the different geological activity that has shaped Lochaber in the sections on Mountain Building, Fire, Past Environments and Ice.
