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A trail spotlighting some of Western Europe’s oldest sites rock Has been raised in a village in the Scottish Highlands.
Geology enthusiasts and keen hikers will be able to access new walk A route will be built in Västerås in the North West Highlands if council approves the plans.
The coastal town of Gairloch is famous for its rugged seaside and diverse natural landscape.
Its characteristics are ScotlandThe North Coast 500 is the state’s most famous road trip route, and drivers often stop to walk on the beach or stargazing.
To showcase its important rock formations, Gairloch Museum is planning a new walking route outside the town center to the Carn Dearg Youth Hostel.
Roy Macintyre, one of the leaders of the project said bbc news This route will focus on “deep time,” the billions of years of Earth’s geological history.
“Gairloch is a favorite place for geologists,” Mr McIntyre explained.
“At Gairloch, the Lewis Gneiss and its various associated rocks are mostly exposed at the surface, so they are easily interpreted.”
Formed 3 billion years ago, the Lewis Gneiss forms the bedrock of the Gairloch Coast and is the oldest rock found in Western Europe.
The rocks are also found in the Outer Hebrides, including the Isle of Lewis, from which they are named.
The Highland Museum says that because it is at the center of many geological changes, the colorful layers on the rock help record volcanic activity as Europe split from North America.
Leaders of the project propose that the trail would be 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) long and would have 18 markers representing different geological periods, such as the Triassic and Jurassic.
Proposals for the walk have been submitted to Highland Council, meaning the route could open next year if approved.
In addition to the Lewis Gneiss, the North West Highlands also feature reddish-brown Torridon Sandstone. Although not as old as the Lewis Gneiss, this sandstone helped form the striking Ascent peaks of the Highlands, including Suilven, Quinag and Liathach.
independent Gairloch Museum has been contacted for comment.
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