Overview

The extraordinary and beautiful scenery of the Northern Scottish Highlands has been created by a geological history lasting over three billion years. The new and thoroughly up-dated edition of this popular book takes its readers through those three billion years, shows the rocks, visits the places, introduces some famous researchers and presents the geological theories that have been inspired by the Highlands. Even though the influence of this magnificent place can be overwhelming, the book is about geology and the modern science involved. It is written for all to understand. It is a book for non-specialists interested in modern science, scientists and all lovers of the Northern Scottish Highlands. The text is sometimes light-hearted, but the science is serious. The subjects covered are as wide as he the splitting open of the North Atlantic Ocean: a time when the Earth resembled modern Mars; early continent formation; billion year old bacteria; the very beginnings of human evolution; Snowball Earth; and, inevitably, climate change. This is modern science wrapped up in good writing and humour: a rare combination.

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9781780460932

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Reviews

Reviews of the first edition: `This book should be read by all: from the thoroughgoing specialists to those who have been touched by the magnificence and awe-inspiring nature of Scotland's scenery and geology, and anyone who appreciates well-written work on an inspiring subject that is interspersed with wit, wisdom and emotion.' Ian Inglis, The Geoscientist; `... a wonderful title for Malcolm Rider's beautifully produced and easily read book. His description of Cape Wrath's capacity to diminish the human spirit deserves more than one reading. This is more a page-turner than a text-book.' Frank Woods, Northwards Now

'Hutton's Arse is a rumbustious account of geology, geologists, landscapes and controversies all written with passion and a certain quirkiness. These are personal stories with the authors guiding readers on adventures in the countryside, describing how landscape reveals clues of past geological activity and how this knowledge can illuminate broader scientific questions. Some of the heroes (and villains) of Victorian earth science are introduced along the way. This second edition improves on the first and will surely sell well, certainly to the visitors taking refuge from the weather, midges and the queues of motorhomes on the A 838. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association Of the first edition: 'This book should be read by all: from the thoroughgoing specialists to those who have been touched by the magnificence and awe-inspiring nature of Scotland's scenery and geology, and anyone who appreciates well-written work on an inspiring subject that is interspersed with wit, wisdom and emotion.' Ian Inglis, The Geoscientist '... a wonderful title for Malcolm Rider's beautifully produced and easily read book. His description of Cape Wrath's capacity to diminish the human spirit deserves more than one reading. This is more a page-turner than a text-book.' Frank Woods, Northwards Now

Author Information

For over 30 years Malcolm Rider has been involved in the hydrocarbon industry, working first for a major company and then running his own consultancy business. He is still very much active in the industry, travelling the world presenting specialist courses and advising on oil exploration techniques. Peter Harrison has lived for 40 years in the north west Highlands working as a teacher and geoscience educator. He wishes to share the inspiration of this thought provoking landscape; Peter leads geotours for the North West Highlands UNESCO. 

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