North Highlands Highlight

Knockan Crag

find accomodation in this area

KNOCKAN CRAG (G Creag a' Chnocain, crag of the Small Hill), is 13 miles north of Ullapool on the A835. This site is famous for its geology as it formed part of the scientific debate about what is now called the Moine Thrust, where older rocks are thrust horizontally over newer ones.

A combination of rock art, rock trails and a rock room, as well as extracts from poems by Norman McCaig give an alternative narrative of Scotland’s geological past. The rock art pieces and poetry stones give an alternative view of the site.

The Rock Room is open-sided and explains the landscape by means of hands on models, touch screen computers, comic strips and a rock show. Although aimed at children, adults will find that it is in fact very informative.

Rock Trails. Three Rock Trails allow visitors to explore the crag. The short and easy Quarry Trail takes only 20 minutes and involves no climbing. The Thrust Trail takes about half an hour. It shows how older rocks overly younger strata in the Moine Thrust.

« back