Abstract

Synopsis Only two interglacial pollen sites are known in Scotland, both in Shetland. There is at present no satisfactory evidence that the decay of the last ice-sheet was interrupted by a significant readvance. Decay was probably complete by 12 500. The Loch Lomond Readvance, which probably began before 10 800, is associated with excellent end moraines (often, significantly, multiple) at more than 100 locations. Former firn lines can be calculated and palaeoclimatic inferences made. The mapped limit of the readvance accords with the distribution of 58 lateglacial pollen sites. Periglacial processes currently operate on the Scottish mountains but were extremely active during the Loch Lomond Readvance, when permafrost (with frost wedges) existed down to sea-level. A summary of the sequence of lateglacial and postglacial sea-level changes (especially in the southeast) includes re-dating of the low-level rock platform and cliff of western Scotland and leads to an unconventional mode of deglaciation for the Glasgow area.

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