VI. General Geology and Physiography of Morvern, Argyll

Abstract

Introduction. Morvern is situated in the N.W. corner of Argyll, and is included in Sheets 44, 52, and 53 of the one-inch map of Scotland. It forms a peninsula, extending south westwards between Loch Sunart and Loch Linnhe to the Sound of Mull, and is connected with the district of Ardgour by an isthmus about 7 miles wide. With a roughly triangular outline, it is bounded on the N.W. by Loch Sunart, on the N. by Loch Sunart and Glen Tarbert, on the S.E., by Loch Linnhe, and on the S.W. by the Sound of Mull. The population is small and scattered, and the only village, Lochaline, has barely 100 inhabitants. Sheep are reared, but most of the ground is under deer. Cultivation is now almost entirely restricted to the raised beaches and to small patches on river alluvium. Lead was mined at Lurga in Gleann Dubh, but has not been worked since about the middle of the 18th century. The name ‘Morvern’ is of Gaelic origin, and is derived from Mor-bhearna' meaning ‘the great passes.’ As is the case with so many Celtic place-names it is aptly descriptive of an outstanding feature of the area which bears it. Of the early explorers of the district Macculloch shows the best understanding of the rock succession and distribution. He says little with regard to Morvern in particular, but his section from Gribon to Ben-y-attan indicates his clear appreciation of the relationship of the various important rock types. This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract