Igneous outcrops beside forestry track

Image: © Lairich Rig Taken: 18 Apr 2014

For context, see Image, where large outcrops can be seen in the wooded area to the right of the track. Not much further along the same track, I took the opportunity to climb a little way up the slope and have a closer look. They are basaltic columns, though their columnar appearance is not so apparent as it is in other formations that I saw later in the day (see below). The track itself is marked on the 1:50000 map. The 1:25000 map likewise shows the track, but also depicts the outcrops in the woods alongside it. While following this track (part of the John Muir Way) to Strathblane, I noticed several such formations, not just here, alongside the forestry track, but elsewhere along the route, up to Strathblane itself (see Image). However, the ones in this forestry area are among the most impressive, and they are easy to examine, even without leaving the track. There are other outcrops of basalt columns in the nearby Squirrel Wood; the most impressive is the Image For others, see Image and Image (A nearby notice asks walkers to stick to the path; however, that notice was a little further along the track, and I had not yet seen it when taking this picture.) The map calls a nearby area of these woods Stony Belt, though earlier maps call them Boards Wood, after nearby Image

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