The purpose of this page is to present documents of interest to the geology community at large or to people who have an interest in the geology of Aberdeenshire and who would like guidance on what the region has to offer.

3D Virtual Models

To start, we are providing access to four 3D virtual / digital models of the coastline either side of Stonehaven and at Portsoy. These models were developed by drone based photogrammetry, complemented with traditional field techniques undertaken by four Aberdeen university undergraduates who carried out the detailed mapping as part of their MSC dissertations. This integrated approached resulted in high resolution mapping. AGS helped sponsor this work which was presented in late 2023. Select Stonehaven or Portsoy to open their respective descriptions and links to the models from the V3Geo website.

Stonehaven

This Virtual Outcrop model shows details of the lower Devonian ORS deposits of the Strathmore syncline. This Dunnottar Group includes over 1km thick of conglomerates with subordinate sandstone and rare lavas. The model includes the rock facies at both Strathlethan and Castle Haven Bays. It was created by M. Chmielewska.

Click on the link on the right to access the model.

Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle

This Virtual Outcrop model covers the eastern end of the Highland Boundary Fault from the village of Cowie to Skatie shore some 2.3km north east.  The rocks north of the HBF are Pre-Cambrian while to the south are the river deposits of the lower Old Red Sandstone. The model was created by M. Chmielewska and J. Howell.

Click on the link on the right to access the model.

Stonehaven to HBF

Portsoy

The coastal outcrops surrounding the picturesque fishing village of Portsoy present an area of complex Dalradian geology.  Evidence of intense deformation, metamorphism and migmatization are well exposed here.

Click on the link on the right to view the Virtual Outcrop 3D model of this coastal section east of Portsoy. The model was created by J. Howell and M. Chmielewska.

Portsoy East

Across this section of coastline, a diverse selection of lithologies and minerals may be observed, including the green to red Portsoy “marble” (Serpentinite), tourmaline, pagmatites. garnet-staurolite schist and many others.

This model covers the coast west of Portsoy – click on the link on the right to view the 3D Virtual Outcrop Model, which was created by J. Howell.

Portsoy Coast

Like to see more?

There are many more 3D models on the V3Geo website covering, not only UK, but sites across most countries of the world. Look for 4 more relevant to the North East – Catterline, Crawton, Poll Bhat and St Cyrus.

Geodiversity

Scotland’s geodiversity, that is the rocks. the landforms, sediments, soils and the processes that form and alter them, has a profound effect on our landscape as well as our economy, our cultural and historical heritage, our education, our health and wellbeing to name just a few important subjects. Some 90 organisations have signed up to a Geodiversity Charter including Aberdeen Geological Society.  The Scottish Geodiversity Charter is now in its 3rd version available from the Scottish Geology Trust

Download the 2025 to 2030 version of the charter here. SGT 2025 – 2030 Geodiversity Charter

General Interest

The table below presents additional pdf documents which we hope you find of interest.

We are always looking for new material. Please feel free to send a piece using our contact form.

ITEM wdt_ID NAME OF DOCUMENT DATE PUBLISHED BY DOWNLOAD
01 16 51 best places to explore Scotland's Geology 2017 by Scottish Diversity Forum 51-best-places-booklet
02 17 Geology of the North East - 10 Iconic Sites to visit December 2025 by AGS 10 Iconic N E Geology Sites
04 18 Aberdeen City Granite Trail 2021 by Aberdeen City Council Aberdeen Granite Trail Leaflet
05 19 Aberdeenshire Quarries - Past and Present January 2026 - AGS Long-gone Aberdeen Quarries
07 23 Siccar Point Information Booklet 2018 by Lothian & Borders Geo-Conservation. Siccar Point Hutton's Unconformity
03 25 Geology Map of North East Scotland 2025 by Birlinn (N E Scotland - Landscapes in Stone) Geology of North East
16 30 A 360 View inside a Granite Cauldron Apr 2026 by K London / S Archer Burn o'Vat
17 31 Caves & Cliffs between Stonehaven and Crawton May 2026 by N. Feilden Caves & Cliffs
18 32 5 Famous James Hutton Unconformity Sites Jun 2026 by K London The big 5 Unconformities
19 33 The Deep Time Trail at Siccar Point Jun 2026 by James Hutton Institute The Deep Time Trail

More about Aberdeen’s Granite Heritage

The website about the History and Heritage of the City of Aberdeen contains a vast amount of information. If you are particularly interested in the granite industry and its use, a piece called “Doric Columns” is very good.

It covers the quarries, the workers, the stonemasons and where the stone was used.

Click the link on the right to take you there.

Doric Columns