Some genetic characteristics of the freely drained soils of the ettrick association in East Scotland

This paper describes the interrelated characteristics of the freely drained soil series of the Ettrick Association. These soils are extensively developed in the Southern Uplands of Scotland on glacial drift derived from greywacke.At the present day the soils of the Linhope series are acid brown soils whereas the Minchmoor and Dod series include podzols and peaty podzols. Subalpine podzols and alpine soils are included within the Merrick series. It is concluded that the soils of the Linhope, Minchmoor and Dod series were all formerly brown forest soils under deciduous woodland. They have evolved to their present status after forest clearance which gathered momentum after the widespread establishment of monastic institutions in Scotland in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries A.D. The evolutionary outline of profile development is described and discussed.