Scotland's Mountain Landscapes: A Geomorphological Perspective

Members of the group were invited to review a copy of this new publication "Scotland's Mountain Landscapes : A Geomorphological Perspective" by Collin K Ballantyne, published by Dunedin Academic Press November 2019.

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​This hardback lavishly illustrated book is aimed at the reader with an interest in Scotland’s landforms rather than the academic. The author himself, in the introduction states that it aims to cover the middle ground between academic / professional scientific texts and “dumbed down” approaches. The introductory chapter includes a definition of the rather intimidating “geomorphology” term used in the book’s title, making it easy to appreciate it as a branch of the wider fields of geology and earth sciences. The introduction also takes the reader through the underlying geological processes and timescales used later in the book.

Chapters of the book then focus on

• The geological origins of the rocks and landmasses that form today’s Scotland
• The formation of Scotland’s pre-glacial landscape
• Effects of the ice age and glaciers
• Effects of frost and freezing on mountain summit areas
• Landslips / rockfalls
• River and water erosion and the impact of human activity on landforms

The final chapter is a tour though the landforms of some of the key areas in Scotland including Torridon, Trotternish Peninsula, Cullin Mountains. Glen Roy, Glencoe, the Cairngorms and even Tinto Hill.
The book makes understanding the shaping of the landscape accessible to the non-geologist with good explanations of concepts and processes. It is illustrated throughout with diagrams and a multitude of colour photographs. Frequent references are made to real life features and areas that will be familiar to the regular hill-goer thus bringing the subject to life.
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For more information and ordering see the Dunedin website.