A Loch Lomond Readvance Glacier in Duirinish, NW Skye

Abstract

Introduction Recent research on the Isle of Skye has enabled detailed reconstruction of the extent and palaeoclimatic significance of glaciers that developed on the island during the Loch Lomond Stadial of c. 11–10 ka BP, the last period of glacial conditions to affect Scotland ([Walker et al. 1988][1]; [Ballantyne 1989][2], [1990 a ][3]; [Ballantyne and Benn 1991][4]; [Benn 1992][5]; [Benn et al. 1992][6]). Geomorphological mapping indicates that at that time a substantial icefield developed in the mountains of south-central Skye, whilst cirque glaciers occupied the corries of the Cuillin and Eastern Red Hills and a smaller icefield formed in the Kyleakin Hills of eastern Skye (Fig. 1). In NE Skye, two corrie glaciers formed in the lee of the Trotternish Escarpment ([Ballantyne 1990 a ][3]). In this communication we present evidence for the contemporaneous development of a small glacier in the much lower hills of the Duirinish Peninsula in NW Skye, and assess the significance of glacier accumulation in this location. The Duirinish Peninsula The Duirinish Peninsula (57°20′N–57°30′N; 6°33′W–6°46′W) represents the westernmost part of Skye (Fig. 1) and is underlain by the Tertiary basalts and mugearites of the Ramascaig and Osdale Groups ([Anderson and Dunham 1966][7]). These have been dissected to form a series of conical or flat-topped hills that reach their maximum altitude in Macleod’s Tables, Healabhal Bheag (488 m) and Healabhal Mhor (468 m). Throughout most of the peninsula, gently-dipping lava flows form a series of bedrock steps, some of which protrude boldly from hillslopes whilst others are partly obscured by a thin mantle of. . . [1]: #ref-13 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #ref-5 [5]: #ref-6 [6]: #ref-7 [7]: #ref-1