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Sands of Forvie
The Sands of Forvie represent excellent examples of active geomorphological
processes. Here, an outstanding beach-dune complex has developed over the last
4,000 years, forming one of the largest areas of blown sand in Scotland. The
area has attracted researchers of coastal landforms and processes for many
years.
The sands stretch for 24km north along the coast from Aberdeen. Three large
rivers have their estuaries along this stretch (the Dee, the Don and the Ythan),
and the Sands are split into two components: the Forvie peninsula and Foveran
links, with the Ythan estuary marking the boundary between the two.
Present day processes include winds, waves and tides, with the dominant direction
for sediment movement being northwards. The sands formed largely as a result
of deglaciation at the end of the last ice age. Following the melting of the
last Scottish glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago, vast quantities of sediment
were transported by rivers to the coast where they were deposited off-shore.
However, as sea levels rose due to the melting of the Scandinavian and North
American ice sheets (peaking approximately 4,000 years ago), these sediments
were reworked and deposited back onshore.
The northern part of the Forvie Peninsula exhibits classic parabolic dunes
and sand hills. The area is underlain by a till covered plateau. The southern
part of the peninsula has well developed dune complexes and dynamic sandhills.
Sand waves run in a N-S direction, defining this sand peninsula. The area is
underlain by glaciofluvial, raised estuarine and beach terraces.
A large, dynamic sand dune complex exists at Foveran Links. Longitudinal bars
are found at the southerly end, merging into a shifting sand bar and spit complex
at the northern end (at the Ythan estuary). This occurs due to the northerly
drift of sediment.
Sand dunes at Forvie.
Image provided by SNH.
Further reading:
Trewin, N.H., Kneller, B.C. & Gillen, C. 1987. Excursion Guide to the
Geology of the Aberdeen Area. Scottish Academic Press, Edinburgh.
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