Lochaline
| Lochaline Gaelic: Loch Àlainn | |
| Argyllshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NM6744 |
| Location: | 56°32’20"N, 5°46’44"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Oban |
| Postcode: | PA80 |
| Dialling code: | 01967 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Highland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Ross, Skye and Lochaber |
Lochaline is the main village in the Morvern area of Argyllshire. It is situated at the mouth of Loch Aline, on the northern shore. Lochaline is connected with Fishnish on the Isle of Mull by ferry.
Geology
There has been a silica sand mine in Lochaline since 1940 when it was opened to replace sources of silica lost because of World War II.[1] A source was needed for the manufacture of optical-quality glass. It was announced in November 2008 that the mine would be closing. Plans on how to reopen it are ongoing with the local council.[2]
The silica quartz and other minerals came from the erosion of the Scottish landmass. They were deposited on the shore of a tropical sea on Jurassic shales and limestones in the middle of the Cretaceous period, 93 million years ago, at the same time the chalk cliffs of Dover were forming. The sandy sediment was reworked by frequent changes to sea level. Natural winnowing processes sorted the quartz from other minerals, separating grains of similar size. For 60 million years this was protected from erosion by a basalt covering from the Mull volcano.
Near the loch shoreline today are fossil oysters, or Gryphaea, that lived on the shoreline of a tropical sea here 200 million years ago.[3] The rocks in this layer are the same age as the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
Attractions
The village is popular with divers due to its proximity to the wrecks of the Sound of Mull, with various charter boats available locally.
The village has a snack bar adjacent to the ferry slipway, a shop, post office, restaurant, hotel, social club and marina.
References
- ↑ Exploring Morvern, Morvern Heritage Society, The Story of Lochaline Silica Mine, Mary Barnes, Page 14-19
- ↑ £Mine closes with loss of 11 jobs" Lochaber News, 20 November 2008]
- ↑ The Evolution of Gryphaea, Stephen Jay Gould, 1980.