XVII.— The Stratigraphical Order of the Dalradian Schists near the Highland Border in Angus and Kincardine

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1. Introduction. The area (Fig. 1) which is the subject of the present communication includes a north-easterly oriented belt of country forming the south-eastern flank of the Grampians between the Kincardineshire coast north of Stonehaven and the River South Esk (Glen Clova) in Angus. It is drained by a number of streams flowing south-eastwards to the plains of Strathmore and the Howe of the Mearns, of which the most important are the North Esk, its tributary the West Water, the Noran Water (Glen Ogil) and the South Esk. Between the North and South Esk a few of the hills exceed 2000 feet, but farther north-east heights of from 1000 to 1500 feet are more common. In spite of this considerable degree of relief, exposures are poor, apart from those in the rivers mentioned and along the coast. This is due to the comparatively gentle slope of the hills, which are largely clothed in grass and heather, and to the thick glacial deposits which cover much of the area. This belt of country is formed mainly of Dalradian schists. They are bounded to the south-east partly by the Highland Boundary Fault, which brings down rocks of Downtonian and Lower Old Red Sandstone age, and partly by faults, probably of lesser magnitude, separating them from the Highland Border Series of Cambrian and Ordovician age. The first detailed account of the Highland Border rocks was by Barrow (1901) who divided them into an older Jasper and Green-Rock Series and a younger Margie Series. This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract The author wishes to record his appreciation of the assistance and helpful criticism of colleagues at the Scottish Office of H.M. Geological Survey. Thanks are particulary due to Mr. G. A. Goodlet for the drawings for Figs. 4 and 5.