Glacier fluctuations in western Scotland

Abstract

Glacier fluctuations between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the early Holocene are reviewed. At the LGM (< 25 ka BP) most of Scotland was covered by an ice sheet that terminated on the continental shelf, mostly beyond the present coastline. Deglaciation was interrupted by stillstands or readvances in many parts of western Scotland, which may reflect climatic oscillations or glaciodynamic changes that occurred during the transition from marine-based to land-based conditions. By the later part of the Late-glacial Interstade (ca. 13-11 ka BP), glaciers had retreated into restricted areas or had disappeared completely. A major glacier readvance occurred during the Younger Dryas (Loch Lomond) Stade (ca. 11-10 ka BP) when an icefield occupied most of the western Highlands and smaller ice masses developed elsewhere on the Mainland and on some Hebridean islands. Initially, retreat of many Loch Lomond Readvance glaciers was interrupted by stillstands or readvances, which may reflect declining precipitation towards the end of the stade. Final deglaciation was more rapid, and was probably forced by rapidly rising temperatures.