A lithostratigraphical framework for the Carboniferous successions of

Lower and upper boundaries
The base of the formation is taken at the base of the
Humbie marine Band, the local equivalent of the
lowest macgregor marine Band and is underlain by the
predominantly sandstone, mudstone and siltstone of the
Gullane Formation (Figure 6, Column 4d). The formation
is laterally equivalent to the Aberlady Formation to the
east, and to the Kinghorn volcanic Formation to the north.
it is also laterally equivalent to part of the Bathgate Hills
volcanic Formation to the west.
The top of the formation is drawn at the base of
the Hurlet limestone, located at the base of the lower
limestone Formation (Clackmannan Group).
Thickness
The maximum thickness of the formation is in excess of
1120 m in west lothian (see Browne et al., 1999; Chisholm
et al., 1989, section 4.5).
Distribution and regional correlation
lothians
Age and biostratigraphical characterisation
visean (Asbian to Brigantian). miospores of the TC, Nm
and vF zones of Neves et al. (1973) are represented. The
macgregor marine bands at the base of the formation
have rich and distinctive faunas including Punctospirifer
scabricosta, Pteronites angustatus and Streblopteria
redesdalensis. wilson (1952) described the B Zone
ammonoid Beyrichoceratoides redesdalensis from the Cove
lower marine Band, but this bed cannot be correlated with
certainty with the Humbie marine Band at the base of the
Gullane Formation. The Granton ‘shrimp-bed’ within the
formation on the shore north of edinburgh is the locality
where the soft structures of a conodont animal were first
described (Briggs et al., 1983).
Formal subdivisions
see also Appendix 1. members of the west lothian oilshale
Formation in stratigraphical order include:
4.3.13.1 CalDers MeMBer (CDe)
Name
The name was proposed by Chisholm et al. (1989), the main
outcrop area and the thickest development of the member
being around west Calder, midcalder and east Calder.
Lithology
The Calders member comprises a succession of black to
grey mudstones, grey siltstones and white, grey and pink
sandstones with thin beds of grey argillaceous, limestone
and dolostone (‘cementstone’), and algal-rich black to grey
oil shales with some lapilli-tuff beds. The strata are not
disposed in readily recognisable sedimentary cycles. The
member includes the dalmahoy oil-shale, Hailes sandstone
(which was much worked in the past for dimension stone),
pumpherston shell Bed (a bed of fossiliferous mudstone with
a marine fauna), and the overlying pumpherston oil-shale. A
regionally persistent but thin (less than 1 m) algal dolostone
has been recognised at Hopetoun and Queensferry.
Genetic interpretation
The strata are almost all of lacustrine and fluvial origins,
with sporadic marine incursions.
Stratotype
The type section is the shore at Queensferry between
longcraig pier [NT 144 786] and just east of the Forth
59
Railway Bridge [NT 138 784] (Carruthers et al., 1927
p. 80; mcAdam and Clarkson, 1986, map 24). Reference
sections include the shore and coastal section at Hopetoun
[NT 088 793 to 094 791] (Carruthers et al., 1927), and
the river section in the water of leith near Redhall in
edinburgh [NT 217 702 to 214 697] (Chisholm and Brand,
1994, p. 100), which exposes the Redhall marine Band and
overlying mudstones with oil-shales, up to the base of the
Hailes sandstone.
Lower and upper boundaries
The lower boundary is defined by the Redhall (Humbie)
marine Band. This is the lowest of the macgregor marine
Bands in the area, up to 0.3 m thick, and in edinburgh
is contained within at least 13.8 m of generally tough,
black and dark grey mudstones. The lowest 9 m of these
mudstones form the top of the underlying Gullane Formation
(Chisholm and Brand, 1994, p. 100) which are assigned to
the currently undefined wardie shales member.
The top of the Calders member is defined at the base of
the Burdiehouse limestone (Buls) (mitchell and mykura,
1962, p. 67) (Figure 6, Column 4d).
Thickness
The member is on average about 290 m thick (Cameron
and mcAdam, 1978, fig. 2) but estimated at 350 m in west
edinburgh. The Hailes sandstone has a maximum thickness
of about 57 m.
Distribution and regional correlation
west lothian and part of midlothian. The unit is no longer
mapped as Calders member in Fife, where it is now mapped
as the sandy Craig Formation (Figure 6, Column 4C).
Age and biostratigraphical characterisation
Asbian. Currie (1954) listed ammonoids from the
pumpherston shell Bed including Beyrichoceratoides aff.
fournieri, B. cf. fournieri or B. cf. redesdalensis, B.
cf. truncatus and ?Dimorphoceras sp. on the evidence
available Currie (1954) and George et al. (1976) assigned
the pumpherston shell Bed to the middle visean (Asbian).
4.3.13.2 HoPeToun MeMBer (Hon)
Name
The name was proposed by Chisholm et al. (1989) to replace
the upper oil shale Group of Carruthers et al. (1927) and
mitchell and mykura (1962). it originates from the best
natural sections, which are on the coast near Hopetoun House.
Lithology
The Hopetoun member consists of a sequence of black
to grey mudstone, grey siltstone, white, grey and pink
sandstone and white to pale greenish grey calcareous
mudstone with thin beds of black to grey oil shale,
coals (Hurlet, Two Foot and Houston seams); together
with grey to white, pure to argillaceous limestone and
dolostone that comprise the upper part of the west
lothian oil-shale Formation. some lapilli-tuff beds are
present and thin coal seams. The strata are not generally
disposed in readily recognisable sedimentary cycles. The
member includes the Camps, under dunnet, dunnet,
Broxburn, Fells, Grey, mungle, Raeburn and Fraser
shales (oil shales), and the dunnet and Binny sandstones
that were worked in the past for dimension stone. The
limited number of thin marine beds include the dunnet,
Raeburn and Fraser shell beds (fossiliferous mudstone
beds with a marine fauna) and the under or Gilmerton
Bone Bed limestone. lacustrine limestones are present
British Geological Survey
Research Report RR/10/07