The Rosemarkie Dens EarthCache
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The Dens is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it is one of the few places in the UK where erosional earth pillars can be found.This cache is situated at the top of these erosional cliffs.
Please take note of all danger signs as the cliff is made of soft easy eroded and undercut material. This means that if you stand too near the edge it may collapse beneath you as it overhangs.....
More than 10,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, a glacier flowed down from westerly mountains, grinding away the underlying rock surface. Later after the ice melted, broken down rock was deposited in varying sizes. At this particular location a thick layer of sand, clay and boulders was left behind. This soft sediment was then eroded over thousands of years by the local rivers - The Little Red Den, The Muckle Red Den and the Swallow Den. These three burns, collectively known as The Dens have deeply incised through the sands and clays and further rainfall has left deep steep sided gullies leading down to a local beauty spot, The Fairy Glen.
Boulders and turfs of vegetation have provided protection from rainfall, have slowed erosion and have been left as protective "umbrellas" on top with earth pillars and ridges underneath. These protective caps also erode away more slowly or topple over eventually and the earth pillar underneath will then quickly disappear.
However, steep slopes and ridges are always to be found here and the best viewing point is at the top of these erosional features.
Please take care when approaching the cliff tops, keep dogs and small children close by and observe all the safety signs concerning the cliff edges - follow the approach waypoints for your own safety.
At the first child waypoint, there is a gate and stile. (EA RED1) Parking is limited on the steep single track road which climbs up from Fortrose - please park sensibly.
Follow the path straight downhill from the gate and look out for the red marker paint splodges. Follow these.
The second child waypoint is at a Danger - Cliff sign. (EA RED2) VERY careful cachers can get a good view from here across the Fairy Glen to another erosional cliff feature below the Corslet Farm.
However, turn left here (facing over cliff) and go around into the open meadow with planted trees. Follow the cliff edge with more Danger signs to your right until you arrive at the actual cache coordinates where a board gives more information about the erosional processes here. (And a further danger sign - get the message!!)
This feature was first noticed in a geological sense by the eminent local geologist Hugh Miller in the 19th century. More about his life can be found in the Hugh Miller Museum in his nearby home town of Cromarty.
Your Earthcaching task is twofold.
1) Take a photo of yourself and / or GPS in clear view at the board and post this in your log.
2) Looking out directly over the information board, there is a striking steep eroded loose cliff of red sand and clay rising straight up from the burn bed below. Your task is to estimate the height of this cliff and send the answer in an email to the cache owner. Do not post this in your log.
Please note: If you do not submit your answer then your log will be quietly deleted. I will only email you back if there is a problem with your answer.
You must carry out these educational tasks as required by the Earthcaching organisation as a condition of logging the cache. Logs that do not adhere to these guidelines will be deleted forthwith.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)