Layering at Clashach Cove

Taken from beside the cave entrance we can see the layering on two different rock faces. On the extreme left we see the layered sandstone of the wall containing the cave entrance. Look closely and you will see a textured surface which is loose sand attached to the rocks. This wall overhangs the rest of the rock. On the wall facing us we can see the patterns of many layers building up the rock face. Look carefully at the structure – not all of beds are horizontal, some are at an angle. These rocks are pale yellow, buff, non calcareous medium grained New Red Sandstone of the Permian period. They were once sand dunes and are analogous to an offshore setting in the North Sea. This area is also the 12th hole of the nearby golf course, and the par 3 hole has been named The Prieshach. Photographed on a beach walk from Hopeman to Lossiemouth, Moray, Grampian, Scotland