Hill walk routes to climb in SW Scotland - also coastal paths and National Scenic Areas with maps, pictures and other useful information based on extensive local knowledge
Eschoncan, Bennan, Benyellary - returning by the Tourist Route from Merrick
Rocks on the top of Bennan with interesting circular and oval holes.
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Interesting rocks on the top of Bennan with air bubbles holes Interesting rocks on the top of Bennan with air bubbles holes Interesting rocks on the top of Bennan with air bubbles holes

08 Here are the rocks I told you about. They have these very distinctive circular and oval holes in them and there are plenty of these features here. The Ordnance Survey reference for this is NX405824.
I sent an enquiry to the Geological Society asking if someone could explain how these features were formed. This society are just now (autumn 2009) adding a new page to their website which allows you to "Ask a Geologist"
In the meantime I have been given a comprehensive explanation of the phenomenon - which boils down to the fact that these holes were once filled with calcium carbonate which is softer than the greywacks sandstone in which you see them here. The calium carbonate has dissolved away leaving only the ghost of it's presence written into the stone. The distinctive raised rings round the mouth of the holes seems to be of particular interest to the geologists.
You can see the full answer to my question on the Geological Society website.
You can see what looks like this same washing out of softer rock from the host rock on Ardwall Island, though in this case the holes left are much smaller, and being by the sea are not so surprising as when you find them on top of a hill.
Some other impressive geological features in Galloway shown on this site are to be found at the "Devil's Bowling Green" on Craignaw, on the Rig of the Jarkness and between Big Gairy and Meikle Mulltaggart - though these are more to do with the effects of glaciation. You can also see the house where Charles Lapworth stayed at Birkhill in the Moffat Hills - he made significant contributions towards unravelling the geology of the Southern Uplands and was a much honoured geologist. These Moffat Hills particularly around Loch Skene which were his stomping ground also offer outstanding classic geological features.

Air Bubble hole in the rock
Air Bubble hole in the rock
Air Bubble hole in the rock
Air Bubble hole in the rock
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