Today the Northeast of Scotland is the picture of peace and tranquillity. Some of the highest quality agricultural land is to be found here. But it was not always like this. Although the area lacks the scenic grandeur and dramatic mountains found elsewhere in Scotland, the record of the rocks here bear witness to countless apocalyptic geological events that helped to shape the landscape we see today.

The area is bounded to the south by The Highland Line, which played a key role in the assembly of Scotland from a collection of previously unrelated continental fragments 420 million years ago. In more recent times, the land that became Northeast Scotland was covered by desert sands. Primitive lizard-like reptiles roamed the parched plains, leaving their footprints in the sand and impressions of their bones as trace fossils embedded in the rock. The landscape was shaped into its current distinctive form in more recent geological times by the passage of ice.

Written for the non-expert and including stunning photographs and diagrams, this is the essential introduction to the geology and landforms of this fascinating part of Scotland.

Alan McKirdy has written many popular books and book chapters on geology and related topics and has helped to promote the study of environmental geology in Scotland. He is the author of Set in Stone: The Geology and Landscapes of Scotland and before his retirement he was Head of Knowledge and Information Management at Scottish Natural Heritage. He is now a freelance writer and has given many talks on Scottish geology and landscapes at book festivals and other events across the country.