Geography Field Trips

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT VISIT TO CRATHES ESTATE

In September, girls from IIIS, IVS and VS visited the Crathes Estate. They measured footpath erosion at five sites. This area is very popular with tourists and locals. Footpath erosion is an important issue and is studied in the context of the lithosphere unit at N4, N5 and the Human Environments units at Higher.

The girls also conducted a study at the Coy Burn. The source of this river is found in the hills above Raemoir near Banchory. The river then flows down into flatter farmland, before entering the Crathes Estate. Its mouth is at the River Dee at Milton of Crathes.

The girls collected pebble samples, measured the width and depth of the river and used a flow meter to determine the velocity of the river. All those measurements were conducted at three sites. The measurements will be used to determine whether the river changes as would be expected, as it travels towards its mouth. All the pupils involved got the opportunity to carry out a variety of the fieldwork gathering techniques.

Finally, environmental quality surveys were carried out adjacent to the car park and castle. Those were used to ascertain impacts that large numbers of visitors to sites such as this, have on the environment. The surveys were also used to find out if the estate provides a quality experience for its visitors.

Despite the often wet weather, the girls were very positive about their field trip and seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Fiona Stone Teacher of Geography

I Senior Geography Field Trip

I Senior girls took part in a field trip in May to familiarise them with land use, building height, building density and environmental quality in the inner city and central business district in Aberdeen.

The girls worked together to analyse their findings and write-up their results. The girls had a great morning and even managed an ice cream at Mackie’s!

Fiona Stone Teacher of Geography

II SENIOR GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP SEA DEFENCES

The II Senior girls have been learning about sea defences and the importance of protecting Aberdeen from coastal erosion.

In May, they got to see these sea defences in action as well as the businesses and homes that they protect. The girls carried out a number of activities, including measuring the sand at groynes, recording land uses along the esplanade and counting waves to then decide if they are destructive or constructive. There was plenty of choice for ice cream and candy floss!

Fiona Stone Teacher of Geography