Abstract

Geological relationships in the offshore basins flanking northern Scotland suggest that a regional Caledonian control on the structure of these basins is far from proven, but conversely Mesozoic faults of the offshore set may extend onshore. The Strathconnon fault, long held to be late Caledonian, may be Mesozoic in age, forming the principal kinematic link between the east and west coast basins of northern Scotland. The numerous outcrops of Precambrian basement within the Minch/Hebrides basin nearly all lie in the uplifted footwalls of Mesozoic faults. Similar fault controls on the distribution of onshore outcrop within the Precambrian may exist.