Conglomerate is indicative of depositional environments of variable and often high energy, like that of large river systems and alluvial fans prone to flash floods. On Arran, conglomerates of Devonian age can be seen in Glen Sannox Burn. These belong to the Stratheden Group, are often cross-bedded and lenticular in shape, interbedded with sandstones and are interpreted as being deposited by alluvial fan streams.

 Conglomerates can be clast or matrix suppported. Upon inspection of the component clasts of a conglomerate, one can discern whether the source of the material was proximal or distal, depending on whether similar rock types exist in the immediate area or not. For example, the conglomerates exposed in Sannox Bay consist primarily of clasts of quartzite with a little vein quartz and some Dalradian. Since there is little or no quartzite on Arran it can be assumed that the sediment was not locally derived.

Studying conglomerates often involves detailed measurements in the field. In this case a 1m by 1m square has been marked out on an exposure of conglomerate in Brodick Bay, and the number, size, composition, roundness, and other characteristics of the sedimentary clasts (in this case mostly pebbles) will be determined.