North West Highlands Geopark joins centenary celebrations for Victorian scientist
The North West Highlands Geopark (NWHG) has organised a special programme of events in early November as part of the centennial celebrations for a renowned Victorian scientist.
Sir Archibald Geikie, who was born in 1835 and died in 1924, was heavily involved in the mid-19th century scientific controversy over the nature of the rock strata in the north-west Highlands.
As director general of the Geological Survey from 1882-1901, he ordered detailed surveys of the area to finally resolve the controversy, resulting in the publication of The Geological Structure of the North West Highlands of Scotland.
The NorthWest Highlands Geopark is joining forces with Ullapool Museum and Haslemere Educational Museum in Surrey - Sir Archibald retired to Haslemere - to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.
On Sunday, November 3, the geopark will host a day with Professor Robert Butler of Aberdeen University.
The day will include a field trip to Knockan Crag followed by a talk and the opening of the Sir Archibald Geikie exhibition at Ullapool Museum, which runs until Thursday, November 7, and is open to all. Admission is free.
On Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, the geopark is linking up with Haslemere Museum to present a live stream of various talks on a large screen in Ullapool Museum, and on Saturday morning there will be a guided walk up Ullapool Hill led by geologist Peter Harrison.
Places for the talks are limited to 45. and bookings are on a first come, first served basis. To book, visit nwhgeopark.com and click on the what’s on tab on the home page.
The hundredth anniversary celebrations are supported by the Highland Geological Society and the Edinburgh Geological Society as well as the Scottish Geology Trust.
