UK contribution to the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) 2008. The Quaternary of Glen Roy and Vicinity was produced to accompany the QRA Short Field Meeting based in Spean Bridge and Roybridge 7th-11th September 2008. The area was selected as appropriate to the aims and ideals of lYPE because of its historical and continuing importance to our understanding of recent geological history – in particular, for the evidence it contains for the last glaciers to occupy the Scottish Highlands and their impacts on the local landscape. The area is particularly renowned for the spectacular "Parallel Roads of Glen Roy", which have attracted the attention and speculation of many famous scientists, including Charles Darwin, Louis Agassiz, Thomas Jamieson and Charles Lyell. These iconic landmarks are part of one of the four National Nature Reserves dedicated to Earth Sciences in Scotland.
This Field Guide is intended for professionals and students who plan to undertake field work or field visits in the area, and/or who seek an overview of some of the latest observations and ideas concerning the local field evidence. It does not include a full explanation of all the terms used and ideas considered, nor of the wider scientific context of the topics covered, a level of detail that is beyond the capacity of a concise guide. The emphasis instead is on providing clear summaries of the results of recent and ongoing scientific work in the area, including some assessment of their significance.