Iona, 2025
Staying on the northern tip of Iona, it was only 5-10 minutes walk to two white sand beaches to photograph the rock outcrops of Lewisian gneisses dating back over 2 billion years in date, the bedrock of the west of Iona. It always thrills that I can touch rocks that old and wonder of the forces that created them. Metamorphic rocks (sedimentary and igneous in origin) of a wonderful variety of colours and banding are found along the shore, formed as a result of high pressure and temperatures at depth causing deformations, I could now admire in the rocks. The green tinge of chlorite and epidote minerals was evident in a number of outcrops. Some also called amphibolite of sufficient mass they provided good shelter for bathers wanting to change before heading into a cold sea dip. With great views of Mull on one side and out to the sombrero hat like island of Bac Mor of the Treshnish Isles. Iona has an old marble quarry to the south and sells marble jewellery, key rings and other items in its shops. It is also wonderful for lovers of pebbles.
https://www.scottishgeologytrust.org/geology/51-best-places/isle-of-iona/
Snowdonia, 2024
Staying in Dinorwic, was a geology lovers paradise with the old slate quarries only minutes away to explore. Formed from mudstones deposited 500 million years ago and to the slates seen today by metamorphic processes around 400 million years ago. Looking grey from a distance, they actually have lovely purple to green colouration closer up. And where mined you have amazing coloured cliff faces and many piles of slate mine remains to photograph. The volume of slate quarried from the hills around the area is so striking. Venturing further within Eryri, The rock formations seen in the Fairly Glen are the result of the erosion of sedimentary and volcanic rocks that formed in the Caledonian and Ordovician periods. On Anglesey the copper mines are an exciting example of uplifted deep ocean floor of black hot smokers, being able to walk around the rocks, with such a variety of colours and sulphur that still had a strong smell was amazing.
Montana and Wyoming, 2023
A part of the US with Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton mountains a treat for photographers and geology enthusiasts it has been on the aspiration list for a long time. But it was the Montana wide open landscapes, Cottonwood trees and mining histories that fascinated in particular. Bannack State Park like going back in time, now empty buildings from a large population of a variety of nations including Chinese drawn by the gold and garnet nuggets that can still be found today. Exploring the mill with huge wooden vats with arsenic sign warnings. The beauty of the old wood buildings. And the soft colours of late autumn, greys, purples, soft yellow-browns. No doubting the majesty of the Tetons with the full moon and stars as the sun rises. Or the hot springs and geyser valleys of Yellowstone. But was the more muted landscapes outside of these I fell in love with.
