RIGS

 Many areas are important nationally, and even internationally, for their geology or geomorphology.  Over 600 of these have statutory protection as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but there are other sites which have an important role to play in local history and education which do not have such protection.

Conserving such sites for education and research is the aim of RIGS groups and Strathclyde RIGS is active in the area of the former Strathclyde region.  Biodiversity has so far received greater attention than geodiversity with local authorities, particularly their planning services and officers, publishing Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP).  Our aim is to encourage local authorities to incorporate geodiversity into their local plans and to ensure that consideration is given to the geology and landscape in any planning application.

The chairperson of Strathclyde RIGS is Stuart Fairley and the secretary is Seonaid Leishman (strathrigs@tiscali.co.uk) to whom all communications should be made in the first instance.

In organisational terms, Strathclyde RIGS is a sub-committee of the Geological Society of Glasgow but members do not have to be members of GSG, although most are.  It is one of a network of RIGS groups across the whole of the UK.  .

The Strathclyde RIGS group holds indoor planning meetings and field meetings at potential sites at approximately monthly intervals.  Our first leaflet was about Ardmore Point on the north shore of the Clyde estuary and has proven to be very popular locally.  Our second, about Campsie Glen, is in the final stages of design.  Copies are available at local tourist information offices and libraries.  They may also be downloaded from this site.