The diversity of Scotland's mountains is remarkable, encompassing the
isolated summits of the far northwest, the serrated ridges of Skye, the
tor-studded high plateau of the Cairngorms and the rolling hills of the
Southern Uplands. Born on ancient continents and uplifted by tectonic
forces, the mountains of Scotland have been sculpted by successive ice
sheets, landslides, frost, wind and running water. This book explains
the geological evolution of Scotland's mountains, and how this has
produced an unparalleled variety of mountain forms. It outlines the
effects of successive ice sheets on mountain scenery, and explains the
dramatic changes in climate that terminated the Ice Age only 11,500
years ago. In non-technical terms it explains the effects of frost
action in forming the rubble that mantles many mountain summits, and how
such debris has slowly migrated downslope by freezing and thawing of the
ground. The dramatic effects of deglaciation and earthquakes in
triggering catastrophic landslides and downslope displacement of entire
mountainsides are described, along with accounts of more recent events
involving the rapid downslope flow of saturated debris. The book also
outlines how Scottish mountains experience frequent gale-force winds,
and their impact of wind in scouring plateaus and depositing expanses of
windblown sand on lee slopes. The role of floods in eroding upland
terrain and depositing floodplains, terraces and fans of sediment is
described in the context of possible human influence on river regime
through forest clearance.Written in clear, non-technical language and
abundantly illustrated, this book is designed to provide an essential
guide to landforms for all those who walk, climb, live and work in the
mountains of Scotland.
