THE DEGLACIATION OF GLEN-CROULIN, KNOYDART

The remarkable glacial geology of Glen Croulin has resulted from the interaction of regional ice flowing down Loch Hourn with local ice in Glen Croulin. The regional ice in Loch Hourn dammed up the valley mouth, while local ice occupied the upper part of the glen. This interaction probably dates from the Loch Lomond Stadial. The complex assemblage of landforms in Glen Croulin is interpreted here as a suite of ice marginal moraines and terraces, implying that the deglaciation occurred by active retreat as opposed to stagnation. A detailed picture of the pattern of this decay can be established and leads to the conclusion that the local ice in Glen Croulin reached its maximum extent and had begun to retreat prior to the maximum of the regional Loch Hourn ice. -Author