The rocks of Assynt

Some of the rocks of Assynt were laid down when Scotland was still part of the North American continent. During the movement of the tectonic plates, Scotland broke off and collided with England.

This old rock is known as Lewisian Gneiss (pronounced 'nice'). It is about three thousand million years old; some of the oldest rock in the world.

Most of the remaining rock near the coast is Torridon sandstone. A rock with a deep red colour which has been used making the oldest buildings in the area, including an iron-age broch and a number of the older croft houses.

Further inland is a stretch of limestone, the caves of which housed some of the earliest inhabitants of Assynt, both human and animal.

Groups of students are often to be seen in the Easter holidays knocking off bits of our rocks!
:-)