This report describes a geodiversity audit of East Dunbartonshire commissioned by East
Dunbartonshire Council (EDC), funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and EDC, and
carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS).
The audit began with a review of the available geodiversity documentation for East
Dunbartonshire including BGS field maps, databases, digital aerial photography and
publications, SNH SSSI and GCR documentation, and site information from the Strathclyde
RIGS Group. An initial list of 59 sites with potential for geodiversity value was compiled from
this information.
A total of 36 sites from the initial list were visited and audited, most during March and April
2009. Information was recorded on the GeoDiversitY scoring system, developed by BGS. In this
system, geological scientific merit, education value, community site value,
cultural/heritage/economic importance, access, site fragility, potential are assessed. The
GeoDiversitY system was accessed via digital data entry forms on the BGS SIGMA Mobile
system running on a ruggedized field notebook PC.
Of the 36 sites visited, 34 are recommended as Local Geodiversity Sites. These sites have a good
geographical spread across East Dunbartonshire, encompassing both urban and rural areas.
Together they show typical geological strata, structure and features of all the geological units
present immediately beneath the surface of East Dunbartonshire and are representative examples
of the Carboniferous sequence which underlies much of Central Scotland.
The sites, chosen primarily for their geology, have revealed numerous links to the character of
the landscape, historical structures, ecology, and the economic and cultural history of the area.
Many of these sites could be enhanced to encourage visitors and students to learn more about the
geology beneath their feet and how the geology, as the foundation of our landscape, has
influenced the form and nature of what lies at the surface; from the inter-drumlin depressions
which have created a wetland habitat to the ironstones and fireclays which were exploited as raw
materials for the heavy industry which flourished around Glasgow, resulting in the development
of large conurbations.
This report will assist in future planning, development and conservation issues within East
Dunbartonshire and form the basis of a Local Geodiversity Action Plan (LGAP)