The Sandy’s Creek Beds (Devonian) of Farland Head, Ayrshire

Abstract

Synopsis The rocks of controversial age occurring at Sandy’s Creek near Farland Head, Ayrshire, consist of red lithic sandstones and grey quartz siltstones. The latter contain miospores indicating terrestrial deposition in the Lower Devonian. These distinctive rocks are named the Sandy’s Creek Beds. They are older than the adjacent Portencross Beds also of Lower Old Red Sandstone age. Resemblances between these rocks and parts of the Lower Old Red Sandstone in Arran are indicated. The structure is explained by the presence of a shear belt of Armorican age.