Day Tours 2023
Please note next tour dates will be fully compliant with present Covid guidelines.
A Walk Back in Time – Geology Tours on Iona
Full day explore with our guide and renowned geologist and font of knowledge all things stone, James, exploring the landscape and geology of Iona. We will begin to understand how these stunningly coloured rocks of Iona were created. James will explain what we are seeing as we traverse the island.
Iona is very different geologically from the Isle of Mull. The rocks are much older with the oldest dated at over 2000 million years old. The colours of these rocks can be spectacular, especially on freshly wave-washed rock. We walk south towards St Columba’s Bay, where the saint is said to have landed we will explore the bay with a chance to find a semi-precious stone, including the famous Iona greenstone. James will identify the rocks you are looking at for you. Then on to the marble quarry, the marble is a beautiful white colour and has been highly revered since ancient times. Much of the quarrying equipment is still in place, a good example of industrial archaeology, it is a very atmospheric place.
Then we slowly wend our way back northwards to see the Spouting Cave with its blowhole and Bay at the Back of the Ocean. The rocks have a distinctive colour – bright red granitic exteriors and dark grey basaltic interiors. They really are conspicuous. It is a wonder to see such art in rock!
The Bay at the Back of the Ocean is a lovely place with a wonderful expansive feel and a special habitat called Machair, it is a unique habitat full of specialised flower species. It is also home to Iona’s golf course, which is probably not like many others you have seen, as you are just as likely to encounter a highland cow or sheep on it as a golfer! Its location is incredible with the backdrop of the sea with its many shades of blue, white sand beaches with curlews and oystercatchers. A lovely place to finish your Iona exploration.
Next geology tour dates 11th and 18th August
Other geology tours available
We also take geology tours to Carsaig, Calgary and Loch Bhuie on the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Ulva.
Please get in touch for further details.
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The Lothians Unveiled
Full day tour explore of hidden gems near Edinburgh, find out about some of the secrets of the Knights Hospitallers and a seldom visited neolithic site and explore wild heathland with incredible views over central Scotland, for full itinerary and booking details please click here.
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The Sublime Beauty of Roslin Glen & Gin Tasting in a Herb Garden
A fabulous day out near Edinburgh, for full itinerary please and booking details click here.
September tour dates 10th and 24th and 8th October. Please note with demand additional days can be added but only on the weekends due to opening times of the gin distillery.
The Ancient Paths – Standing stones and ancient trees
Full day tour with storytelling, exploring the ancient wonders and sites in Kilmartin Glen, the most important Neolithic and Bronze Age area on mainland Scotland and a remote seaboard peninsular.
There are very fine examples of stone circles, henges and standing stones, over 5000 years old. We will visit Dun add, an Iron Age hillfort that became the centre of power for the Gaelic Kings from 500 to 800AD and see the royal inauguration stone of the early Scottish kings with it’s footprint set in the stone. After a morning of visiting these fascinating sites we will venture on to a beautiful peninsular inhabited since ancient times. It is home to some of the oldest native woods in Europe, with rare lichens, mosses and ferns and a good place to see otters. After a delicious lunch on the seashore we will explore the woods and go to the shore of a breathtaking sea loch and be recounted stories of old; mythology that surrounds these beautiful woods and lore about the trees and hopefully spot an otter and a chance to see beavers in the wild!
4th August 2022
Please get in touch for further details. Book Now
Bespoke Tours
We offer a number of bespoke tours and can advise clients on suggested itineraries depending on their preferences. For instance a full week exploring the neolithic sites around Loch Tay.
Please get in contact to discuss.
