Mountains and Minerals in Scotland

The Glensanda Super-quarry and the Western island ranges, Scotland

Resource Conservation in Northern European Ecosystems:
Mountains and Minerals in Scotland

ENVS 195 (3 credits)

A summer field course in Scotland, UK. May 23 – June 6, 2004

Instructors: Richard Paradis and Saleem H. Ali , Environmental Program, UVM
Emails: rparadis@zoo.uvm.edu and Saleem.Ali@uvm.edu

This course will explore the natural and social landscape of Scotland. Our aim is to provide an experiential learning experience of resource conservation in a pristine area that has relied on natural resources in various forms for livelihood. Coal and lead mining was the mainstay of the Scottish economy for centuries but has declined tremendously, allowing for the Scottish highlands to return to a quasi-natural landscape. Minerals are still playing a critical role in the Scottish economy, though much of the revenues are now from off shore oil in the North Sea. This sudden influx of wealth is ironically providing an opportunity for land conservation, particularly in the highlands. However, there are still crucial challenges to conservation as large-scale tourism projects are developed. Surprisingly Scotland has only one National Park (Loch Lomond) but there are plans to develop more parks, particularly in the Cairngorn mountains. We will learn how to plan for the establishment of conservation areas in such regions and how development pressures are balanced with conservation needs, given a history of industrial reliance.

Cost, including all in-country transport meals and lodging, will be aprx $1200 plus tuition to UVM Continuing Education. (which varies for in-state and out-of-state residents)

Students are resposible for air fare to and from Edinburgh Scotland.

Itinerary:

Sunday, May 23
    -Depart Burlington 5:40 pm US Airways Flight #3176
    -Arrive Philadelphia 7:07 pm
    -Depart Philadelphia 8:30 pm US Airways Flight #22

Monday, May 24
    -Arrive Glasgow 8:25 am
    -Travel to University of Glasgow Field Station at Loch Lomond
    -Recover from jet lag
    -Evening overview of the course
    -Lodge at University of Glasgow Field Station at Loch Lomond (44 1360 670271)

Tuesday, May 25
    -Morning instruction by Saleem and Rick and by faculty of the University of Glasgow
    -Afternoon walking and boat tour of Loch Lomond
    -Lodge at University of Glasgow Field Station at Loch Lomond (44 1360 670271)

Wednesday, May 26
    -Morning hike up Ben Lomond with National Trust ranger
    -Afternoon instruction by faculty of the University of Glasgow
    -Lodge at University of Glasgow Field Station at Loch Lomond (44 1360 670271)

Thursday, May 27
    -Travel to Fort William with hike in Glencoe region
    -Afternoon visit to Glensanda Quarry
    -Lodge at Banavie Guest House (44 1397 772531)

Friday, May 28
    -Visit coastal village Arisaig via "Road to the Isles"
    -Boat trip to Isle of Eigg
    -Meet with Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust and visit crofting community
    -Lodge at Banavie Guest House (44 1397 772531)

Saturday, May 29
    -Travel to Isle of Skye
    -Hike in the Glen Shiel region and visit Eilean Donan Castle
    -Lodge at Pier Hotel in Portree (44 1478 612094)

Sunday, May 30
    -Hike in the Cuillin Mountains and tour Trotternish Peninsula
    -Visit area archeological sites, museums, and mines
    -Lodge at Pier Hotel in Portree (44 1478 612094)

Monday, May 31
    -Travel to the Cairngorm region
    -Visit castles and battlefield sites
    -Lodge at Aviemore Bunkhouse (44 1479 811181)

Tuesday, June 1
    -Morning hike in the Cairngorm Mountains with ranger
    -Afternoon visit and hike in Glenmore Forest Park with forester
    -Lodge at Aviemore Bunkhouse (44 1479 811181)

Wednesday, June 2
    -Travel to Aberdeen
    -Visit Findhorn Community
    -Lodge at University of Aberdeen King's College (44 1224 272218)

Thursday, June 3
    -Morning instruction by faculty of the University of Aberdeen
    -Afternoon visit to the St Fergus Natural Gas Terminal
    -Lodge at University of Aberdeen King's College (44 1224 272218)

Friday, June 4
    -Travel to Edinburgh
    -Instruction by faculty of the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology
    -Visit Dunnottar Castle
    -Lodge at Castle Rock Hostel (44 131 225966)

Saturday, June 5
    -Morning visit to coal mining museum and quarry rock climbing center
    -Afternoon tour of Edinburgh
    -Lodge at Castle Rock Hostel (44 131 225966)

Sunday, June 6
    -Travel to Glasgow
    -Depart Glasgow 12:45 pm US Airways Flight #23
    -Arrive Philadelphia 3:45 pm
    -Depart Philadelphia 8:00 pm US Airways Flight #1156
    -Arrive Burlington 9:27 pm

READINGS

Copies of chapters from these book as well as an anthology of other readings will be made available to the students.
Warren, Charles (2002). Managing Scotland's Environment. Edinburgh University Press.

Lambert, Robert A. (2001). Contested Mountains: Nature, Development and Environment in the Cairngorm Region of Scotland. White Horse Press.

Scottish Executive, Natural Resources and Environment Officie (2002). Reclamation of Mineral Workings.

British Petroleum. Environmental and Social Review of the Grangemouth Refinery.

BBC News Report on Grangemouth inquiry

Glensanda Quarry (Foster Yeomans)

Scottsh Wildlife Trust on Large Coastal Quarries

Isle of Eigg

Isle of Skye Minerals Profile

European Mineral Aggreagates Planning Regime

St. Fergus Gas Terminal

Findhorn Foundation

USEFUL LINKS

University of Glasgow

University of Aberdeen

University of Dundee

Perth College

Mining Museum of Scotland

Lead Mining Museum of Scotland

Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Tartans and Heritage

Vermont Tartan Below