The Scottish geologist Andrew Crombie Ramsay (1814-91), best remembered for his work on glaciation, made his name with this study, which originated in holiday visits to Arran. Encouraged by John Nichol of Glasgow University, Ramsay had prepared a geological map of the island for the British Association's visit in 1839, and was to have led a field excursion and lectured to the delegates there, but missed the boat. Nichol arranged for Ramsay's work to be published the following year. It attracted the attention of Roderick Murchison, who found him employment with the Geological Survey, and Ramsay later succeeded Murchison as its director and was knighted on his retirement in 1881. The book, designed as a practical visitor's guide for both amateur and professional geologists, is organised by district with reference to specific geological features, and Ramsay provides full explanations, diagrams and engravings to make his work accessible to non-specialists.