Introducing the Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society (Scotland, UK)
The Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society is dedicated to honoring the lifetime work and achievements of Paul Ewing, geology teacher at Arbroath High School.
Hunor Deak, BSc Geology
My name is Hunor Deak. I am 24 years of age. I am a BSc Geology graduate from the University of Edinburgh, School of GeoSciences. I worked for the University of Edinburgh as a Student Ambassador, Receptionist, Social Media Representative and Office Aide. I worked on a website and various events for Rural Youth Scotland. I have extensive experience in university management, marketing, student support and geology.
I studied various aspects of geosciences (Oceanography, Microclimates, Mining, etc.) for 5 years. I volunteered with the School of GeoSciences as a public outreach helper, where I helped to run various geology workshops at science festivals. I wrote geology based blogs (covering the work of the department, interviews with visiting academics and promoting the department to prospective students) to several sites of the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. I generated social media and marketing material for Student Recruitment.
I am a disabled geologist and person of colour (slav), who is very passionate about safeguarding and promoting the role of minority peoples in geology and wider geosciences. However my knowledge and passion is also deeply steeped in Scotland. I went to Arbroath High School and studied geology in Mr Ewing's class of geology. I took part in field trips to the Arbroath Cliffs and the countryside. I went on my own excursions to Dundee Law and Stonehaven. I was deeply interested in geology from the age of 13, collecting rocks and fossils.
Blog produced for the University of Edinburgh: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/hdeak/
Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society
I set up a society focusing on the geological heritage and the promotion of Earth science to the great publics of Angus County, the City of Dundee, with cooperation efforts of the periphery of the Mearns under Aberdeen, Perth and Kinross, along with the Kingdom of Fife.
The Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society is dedicated to honoring the lifetime work and achievements of Paul Ewing, geology teacher at Arbroath High School. He inspired 100s of students into the scientific field of geology and the wider geosciences. This society aims to inspire 100s more! Its current focus is on Angus County, the Mearns and the City of Dundee.
We have partnered with the Scottish Geology Trust:
The purpose of this charity lies with recognition of the value of geology to society as a whole and education in the earth sciences. The Scottish Geology Trust will be the only group acting for geosciences across all of Scotland and across industry, education and conservation.
The society is a private endeavor with it being in the process of turning into a charity. It is recognised by the Angus Tourism Cooperative along with several Dundee and Angus elected Councillors.
Listing: https://www.angustourism.co.uk/atc-member/angus-and-dundee-geosciences-society/
The society has engaged with local newspapers and radio stations with me appearing in the Courier talking about the Arbroath Cliffs and setting up a fundraiser for the St Andrews Geology Wall.
"The early success of the trust has now inspired Arbroath man Hunor Deak to create a group focused on the geological treasures on the area’s doorstep – among them the Angus town’s distinctive red sandstone cliffs.
New society will align with aims of Scottish Geology Trust
Hunor, 23, said: “If there was one place in the world you could go to understand how the planet works, why climate changes, why life evolved – Scotland would be it.
“The diversity of geology in Scotland has underpinned some of the greatest discoveries about how the world works.”
He said understanding of the earth was essential if we want to have a planet we can still live on in the future and the importance of the trust had been underlined by the support for the crowdfunder from multiple universities and international scientists.
He said the Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society would work with local groups to preserve the area.
“Angus has an amazing landscape with a lot to offer,” he said.
“The glens are made of metamorphic rocks which have been carved out by glaciers.
“The lowland areas are Devonian sandstones laid down in an ancient desert.
“Angus is covered in lava flows full of agates and the Arbroath cliffs are an amazing location.”
Romanian national Hunor, who made Angus his home and studied at Edinburgh University, added: “It could bring a lot of tourism to the area.
“The Angus and Dundee GeoSciences Society would work with the Scottish Geology Trust to promote locations such as the Arbroath cliffs and Lunan Bay.”
He is already working on local projects and hopes the area will become the subject of increasing university visits in the post-pandemic period."
So there has been a lot of good news about the society. Once the society grows in memberships and builds better links with Lunan Bay Communities Partnership a lot of things from tours to talks can be organised. New members from Angus and Dundee would be welcome!
Fundraiser for the wall: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-restore-the-st-andrews-geology-wall
The Geological sites of Angus County and the City of Dundee
Angus county has both indoor and outdoor attractions around geology. The most notable one is the Arbroath Cliffs, Lunan Bay, and the Agate Beaches of Montrose. The most notable indoor attractions with information on geology are Signal Tower, Arbroath Abbey, The McManus Art Gallery & Museum, Montrose Museum.
For the ones interested, Angus has the accommodation and the sites to keep a visitor there for more than a week.
Arbroath Cliffs: https://arbroathclifftrail.com/
The Arbroath cliffs are made up of river-lain sandstones and conglomerates (petrified gravel) of two different ages – 410 million years old (Lower Devonian) and 370 million years old (Upper Devonian). During these times, Scotland was located south of the Equator in the desert belt. The climate was most likely hot and dry but with dramatic seasonal flooding when rivers flowed across the landscape. The rocks at Arbroath tell the story of two ancient rivers and what happened to the landscape during the interim period.
Lunan Bay: https://lunanbaycommunitiespartnership.com/
Established in 2020 by residents and businesses at Lunan Bay, our main objectives are to sustainably preserve and improve the natural, historic, built and human environments of Lunan Bay. To achieve these aims we collaborate with the wider community who have an affinity for Lunan Bay, the authorities, and other likeminded community and interest groups.
We run Scotland’s first community-led coastal Ranger Service providing community education programs, visitor management services and conservation activities at Lunan Bay. Lunan Bay is a stunning, yet fragile area of natural beauty which needs the support of the local and wider communities, who adore it, to ensure its sustainable future for generations to come.
Agates in Angus: https://www.agatescotland.com/
There are many locations between bustling Montrose in the north, and the brooding red-bricked Arbroath in the south, where agates and related chalcedonies may be collected, both at coastal locations and inland. All the specimens featured here were collected along a stretch of coast covering around 4 miles, taking in several main locales. I speak from experience when I say that your favourite locations will be those you stumble across yourself, with little or no guidance. It is true to say that the whole Angus Coast will have been searched at some stage, and in many places regularly, however again I speak from experience when I say that obviously, visiting a location only a handful of times will not suffice when attempting to ascertain whether or not agates and related material of a high quality can be collected there. It is this fact that ensures that the more esoteric coves are not immune to neglect. If there is no paper trail to follow so to speak, and no information to be gleaned online, then there is all the more reason to inspect those likely looking places yourself.
Signal Tower: https://visitangus.com/arbroath-signal-tower-museum/
The Signal Tower Museum, located near the town’s picturesque harbour, enables visitors to discover the fascinating story of the Bell Rock Lighthouse designed by the famous engineer, Robert Stevenson (1772-1850), as well as an insight into Arbroath’s fishing and maritime past.
The Signal Tower Museum showcases how the lighthouse was constructed over 200 years ago, creating a marvel of engineering that still stands today as the oldest sea-washed lighthouse in the world. As well as this, the museum shows what life was like for the lighthouse keepers on board the Bell Rock, as well as the experiences of their families back at the Signal Tower shore station.
The Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages situated in the courtyard of the museum grounds offer attractive exhibition areas, providing an insight into Arbroath’s Fishing and Maritime Heritage with audio-visual elements including quizzes and games for children.
An exhibition of black and white photographs taken by the late Jonathan Ogilvie in the 1980’s of some of the Arbroath fishing fleet recording people and fishing in and around Arbroath provides a fascinating view of the fishing industry.
Tower Tours that allow public access of the tower room are available on Saturdays at 12 noon and 1pm available. Advance booking only by email or telephone. Virtual tours in Gaelic, Polish, Romanian and English are available for those who don’t want to climb the 70 steps.
Arbroath Abbey: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/arbroath-abbey/
Founded by William the Lion in 1178, in memory of martyr Thomas Becket, the abbey remained one of the nation’s grandest monasteries for almost 400 years. Much later, the Stone of Destiny had a starring role in Arbroath Abbey’s story.
The McManus Art Gallery & Museum: https://www.mcmanus.co.uk/
There are 8 galleries within The McManus, which are laid out on 2 floors.
Visitors can embark on a journey through 400 million years, and witness how a small settlement developed into the City of Dundee as it is today.
From exhibits relating to the life of early man in the area, stunning paintings and decorative art through to artefacts from industries past and present, the City's collections, many of which are recognised as being of national significance, give an insight into Dundee and its people.
Montrose Museum: https://www.angusalive.scot/museums-galleries/visit-a-museum-gallery/montrose-museum/
Opened in 1842 by Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Montrose Museum tells the story of Montrose and its people, from the earliest archaeological finds to the Marquis of Montrose and the Jacobite uprisings, the harbour and maritime trade. The museum was one of the first purpose-built museums in Scotland and houses its series of displays in the neo-classical building's spacious atrium, mezzanine and galleries.
