Trough Linn Eddies & Potholes EarthCache

The Rotten Calder hides most of its gems deep down in the gorge, so let me take you down there once again, only this time to show a really special spot with some geology and scenery that will blow your socks clean off!

Please be very careful on your descent to your goal, as it looks a lot easier than it actually is, believe me, that's why I made it an Earthcache

Ground zero is a magical place, so tranquil and so tame looking....! BUT PLEASE NOTE- The Trough Linn is the most dangerous part of Calderglen, having claimed over fifety lives in its time. It contains hidden pools in addition to the visable ones. So please keep to the parking waypoint and instructions.

So What's eddie and a pothole got to do with it?

Once a small depression is present in the river bedrock, flowing water transports sand and small rocks into it. The whirling water of the eddy carries the abrasive material around the interior surface of the depression. This action scrapes the walls and bottom of the enlarging pothole and works to enlarge the feature. As the pothole grows, larger stones are carried into it and accelerate the erosion of the feature's sides. These large stones, which are called abraders, can be carried out by the same spiraling water that carries them in, or they can settle to the bottom of the pothole where they remain indefinitely. The pothole is usually exposed as the river above it shifts its course. The water inside then drains off or evaporates away, leaving a rubble-strewn pit that could be as much as 25 feet wide and 80 feet deep.

1.How many Eddies can you see from ground zero?

2.Roughly about thirty feet upstream from the waterfall you will notice a pothole with a circumference of about eight inch, how deep is it? PLEASE NOTE* If the river is in spate on your visit, simply answer "DNF".

3.The Eddies on the other side of the Rotten Calder from ground zero are missing a side. Does the water still swirl around in these? if so in what direction - Anti-clockwise or clockwise? Does this direction apply to the Eddies on 'our' side?

4.At the top of the waterfall estimate the width of the river here.

5.Take a picture of yourself or GPS at ground zero (optional).

To log this Earthcache, please email me the answers to the above questions (from my profile page), No need to wait for a reply before logging, if there is a problem with your answers I will contact you. Any logs entered without an email being received will sadly be deleted.

Information relating to the Rotten Calder's gorges and local history can also be found using the related web page link up top.

Thanks to Chris Ladds, Eastkilbride historian for the diagrams in the gallery.