Rannoch Moor

An Erratic Boulder of Granodiorite on the shores of Loch Laidon.

Rannoch Moor is a very large blanket bog, about the size of greater London. The bedrock is Granodiorite which is a large / medium grained intermediate to acid igneous rock. Granodiorite is impervious and so does not allow rainwater to drain away easily. The resultant boggy conditions give rise to peat which has accumulated to considerable depth. The type of vegetation is therefore influenced by the underlying rock. Plants which like wet acidic conditions flourish and these include the 'Rannoch Rush'.

It happens that the Rannoch Rush was studied by the botanist David Bellamy for his PhD and a few years ago when the exhibition room at Rannoch Station was opened he led a group of local people to find the Rannoch Rush.

Loch Laidon, Rannoch Moor

Loch Laidon, Rannoch Moor

The Beach at Loch Laidon

Sand on the beach at Loch Laidon. This sand has been produced by the weathering and erosion of Granodiorite.