Set in Stone The Geology and Landscapes of Scotland

About this book

The land that was to become Scotland has travelled across the globe over the last 3000 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. Set in Stone also explores how 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.

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Biography

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.