Referring to the importance of designating soils sites, there was a time when consideration was given to RIGS meaning Regional Important Geological, Geomorphoo

...Geomorphological and Soils Sites making full use of the 'S' !

Thanks Ken - agreed. John Conway did some good work on Anglesey highlighting soils - there is a book available on that

...David Jenkins, Prof of Soil Science at Bangor University, led on soils in Wales and was John Conway's inspiration...

NIce to see that one Alison - I have been there several times but always in late Spring/Summer!

Inter alia, aesthetic value includes Landscape, Scenery and Scenic Value and also art - many rock exposures in 'picturesque art' are less visible today because of subsequent vegetation growth, development etc. - and can be incorporated in site leaflets, info-boards etc.

Scottish Planning Policy criteria for geodiversity sites adds in cultural value and promotion of public awareness and enjoyment

Good point about linking sites. There are several sites on the disused Banbury to Chipping Norton railway that can be used to tell a story which individually are interesting but as a whole tell a much broader story and also link to old ironstone working (and a brewery!)

Scottish Government are in the process of reviewing the SPP and incorporating it into the new National Planning Framework 4 that is due to be released in Autumn 2021 - hopefully refs to geodiversity sites still make the cut in the new version of the SPP

Hopefully, Chris - is there a place for consultation with the Trust etc?

Habbie's Howe is right on the boundary between Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Should it be included in the Midlothian geodiversity audit too or should duplication be avoided?

Scot Govt will release NPF4 as a draft for consultation so just need to watch out for it in Autumn 2021 and then good if Geological Trusts / interested organisations make their representations. After assessment of comments it will go back before Holyrood in summer 2022

Great work Alison!

what was the reason why only 1/3 of the original identified sites were recommended for designation - duplicate sites or quality?

Alison, where you using QGIS?

Thanks Angus & others for a great trio of events.