A new audio trail around St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, has been launched that enables walkers to take a trip through time and discover key moments in the Earth’s history.
The trail, which is free to download, starts at the coastal path entrance to St Andrews Holiday Park on East Sands and follows a 4.5km circular tour of the town, initially following the coast, and then winding through alleys and riverside paths before returning along the Kinnesburn to East Sands. Each metre of the trail corresponds to 1 million years.
Narrated by geologist and climate scientist, Dr James Rae, from the University of St Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the trail takes in 17 major events including the formation of the Moon, first life, snowball earth, and the demise of dinosaurs, before ending at the present day as humans enter the scene. The trail is aimed at all ages and requires a smartphone to download the trail and headphones to listen to the narration which is triggered by walking.
Rae said: “The history of the Earth is written all around us and buried beneath our feet. By linking a walk around St Andrews to the passage of time we hope to open people’s eyes to the amazing geological and biological processes that shape our world and, hopefully, make us want to take action to preserve it for future generations.”
St Andrews Holiday Park general manager, Geoff Little, said: “This trail provides visitors and locals with a chance to reconnect with the wonderful landscape of St Andrews through understanding its fascinating past. We are delighted to support the project and are excited to have the first stop on the Deep Time Walk at the foot of the holiday park where iconic views of the East Sands and the St Andrews skyline set the tone for the dramatic adventure ahead.”
The term “deep time” recognises the changes taking place over a huge time span and owes its genesis to the Scot, James Hutton, who challenged the accepted ideas of the day, that the Earth was merely a few thousands of years old, and laid the basis for the modern science of geology in the 18th century.
The trail was created by Transition University of St Andrews with the support of Paths for All and Abbeyford Leisure. Search for St Andrews Journey through Time at the izi.travel website or by downloading the izi.travel app from your app store.
