Three Scottish Sites Recognised in Prestigious IUCN List

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has announced its Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites, picking three from Scotland for global recognition: the Metamorphic Barrow Zones, the Rum Igneous Complex, and the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy.

More than 700 experts from 80 nations and 16 international organizations took part in formulating this global list. The Second 100 Geological Heritage Sites are distributed in 53 countries, and have received IUGS recognition because they are of the greatest scientific value, demonstrating geologic features and processes, and having helped developed the science of geology.

In 2022 Siccar Point was among the first 100 sites, chosen for its fundamental role in the history of geosciences, and our understanding of stratigraphy and sedimentology. This is where James Hutton recognised the significance of unconformities (a boundary or break in the geologic record, between rocks of different ages, that indicates a period of erosion or non-deposition of sediment) and the possibility of ‘deep time’.

The new list, which was announced at the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC) in Busan, Republic of Korea, selects a further 100 sites of great geoheritage value. The Metamorphic Barrow Zones in Scottish Highlands was included because they are where the first systematic study of regional metamorphism took place (where rock is transformed physically or chemically at high temperature), through analysis of index minerals in metamorphosed mudstones. The Rum Igneous Complex contains a superb array of shallow ultramafic to felsic igneous rocks (rock created from volcanic processes), that differentiated in an open system and concentrated precious metals. The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy are iconic evidence for glacial lake shorelines, and their recognition underpinned the development of the Glacial Theory in the 19th century.

It is hoped that the recognition and visibility by IUGS will lead to further appreciation of these sites. This includes their use as educational resources, and, most importantly, as sites worthy of long-term preservation.

Read more about the Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites and download the site list here.