Geologists Mull over the past

Alumni from the 1980 Geology class reunited for an exciting adventure on the west coast of Scotland.

A trip down memory lane

In May 2026, after three years of meticulous planning, twelve graduates from the 1980 Geology class, along with their partners, reunited for a nostalgic return to the Isle of Mull.

The trip celebrated their original third-year undergraduate geology field trip to the region in 1978. The group stayed at Scoor House, their former undergraduate base, located on the Ross of Mull. The four-day excursion combined geological observations, exploration of local landscapes, and social reconnection, bridging nearly five decades of life and career paths since graduation.

Geology 1980 graduates photographed at Scoor House.
Graduates with their partners at Scoor House.

Adventures on the West Coast

The reunion started with a gathering at a bar in Edinburgh to welcome regional and international arrivals, providing a touchpoint for classmates unable to travel onward to Mull.

Graduates then drove independently to Oban, crossing the Sound of Mull via CalMac ferry to Craignure. From there, they travelled across the Ross of Mull to Scoor House, overcoming minor transport hurdles including a vehicle puncture and navigating the rough access track.

Guided by one graduate’s mapping notes from 1979, the group visited the Ardalanish area, exploring its beach and the local woollen mill. Their geological exploration was centred around the Ross of Mull Granite intrusion, a 15-million-year-old underground magma chamber.

Other excursions included a mountain trek to conquer the Munro summit of Ben More, where alumni visited the eroded core of Mull’s extinct volcano. Another tour took them by ferry to Iona, exploring the historic Abbey, Nunnery and Heritage Centre, which was followed by a walk along the west coast, linking the region's geology with that of Nova Scotia. The journey also included a boat trip to Staffa, where the group visited the renowned Fingal’s Cave and the puffin breeding grounds.

Geology 1980 graduates photographed at Fingal’s Cave.
Exploring the famous Fingal’s Cave.

Excitement builds for the Golden Reunion

Despite a 46-year gap since graduating, everyone slipped back into easy conversation – a testament to the lasting friendships and shared memories from the university days. Strong participation and high spirits set a warm tone and made for a memorable reunion, and everyone left looking forward to meeting again for the 50th graduation anniversary reunion in 2030.

Related links

Reunions

School of GeoSciences

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