 In the 19th century, the Parallel Roads attracted the attention of many early geologists, including the Reverend William Buckland, Charles Lyell, James Nicol, Charles Babbage, James Geikie, and Joseph Prestwich.This interest ensured that the Parallel Roads featured prominently in the development of geological science.Charles Darwin visited the glen in June 1838 and, drawing on his recent findings in South America during the "Beagle" expedition concluded that the shorelines were raised beaches of marine origin.