Lateglacial and early Flandrian chronology of the Isle of Mull, Scotland

Abstract

The Isle of Mull, which lies off the west coast of Scotland (Fig. 1), was partially over-ridden by ice from the mainland during the build-up of the late Devensian ice sheet1 but, in common with the adjacent islands of Rum2 and Skye3, supported smaller ice masses, including independent valley and cirque glaciers during the Loch Lomond Stadial4,5 (approximately equivalent with the Younger Dryas of Scandinavia6,7). However, although the recent glacial history of Mull is understood, at least in general terms, little is known about the nature and timing of the major environmental changes that preceded and succeeded the Loch Lomond Stadial on the island. We present here pollen–stratigraphical evidence supported by 15 radiocarbon dates which provide new information on landscape changes on the Isle of Mull from the wastage of the last Scottish ice sheet to the early part of the Flandrian period. The radiocarbon dates are of particular significance as they form the basis for the first Lateglacial and early Flandrian chronology for the islands of the Scottish Inner Hebrides.