11.30 p.m. on April 23rd, 1979 saw twenty-two Geologists board a coach to commence the Geology Field Trip to the Isle of Mill. Seven very weary hours later we arrived in Oban. It was apparent that Dr Sloan had made this journey before -he slept all the way.
Breakfast had been arranged for us at the Park Hotel and in luxurious surroundings overlooking Oban Bay we ate a hearty meal. After breakfast we had a walk round Oban and at 12.30 p.m. boarded the Ferry to Mull. During the forty-five minute crossing Dr Sloan pointed out various geological points of interest and introduced some of us to his University Lecturer who was also on board.
On arrival at Craignure (two hotels, ten houses and a pier) we made our way to Salen where we were to stay for the duration of the course. En route we stopped to study some Tertiary Dykes, the first of many, and associated lava flows. The late afternoon and evening were spent settling in at our hotel.
The next morning we went by coach to Glen More where, in beautiful sunshine, we mapped the Allt Mollach river section, studying the numerous ring-dyke intrusions exposed in the river bed. The following day we went to Loch Ba to study the famous ring-dyke. Here during a five hundred metre climb, ‘where Dr Sloan showed his prowess by being more sure-footed than a mountain goat, we saw "the most famous ring-dyke known to science." Tired and weary we returned in the late afternoon to our hotel and after dinner played a challenge football match with the "locals" which we lost 3 - 2. The next two days were spent studying the various types of rocks exposed on kill and, of course, dykes.
At Auchnahraig we studied the Tertiary sediments, associated composite cone-sheets and even more dykes. Dr Sloan decided to take a short cut for our return to the coach and we ended up walking (or was it skiing?) through thick black mud. Everyone saw the funny side of this short cut, especially Dr Sloan for he had cunningly avoided the disaster area and was busy taking photographs of our predicament.
True to Dr Sloan’s pronouncement it rained on the Last day. It was like a tropical downpour, except that it lasted all day, when we mapped the dykes along the share of Loch na Keal.
Our stay on the Isle of Mull was made especially enjoyable by the staff of the hotels in which we stayed. To Mr and Mrs Carmichael and family we say "thank you". To Dr Sloan, Miss G. Tubman and Mr S. Mathers (I.G.S.) we say "Well done!" for putting up with us. To Mel of Anchor Travel we say "thank you for conducting us along the narrow country roads of Mull without mishap."
Prime Contact for reunion:- Email: Ailish
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