Hallaig is at the southern end of the Isle of Raasay. Fossils can be found along the east shore, and in burns and streams at various places on the island. Raasay boasts geology of international importance, and Hallaig is an excellent location to see it.
DIRECTIONS
♦ Drive either south from Portree or north from Broadford on the A87.
♦ Take the ferry to Raasay from Sconser Pier and, from new ferry terminal, drive south towards Inverarish.
♦ Take the turning for Fearns and carry on past the ruined buildings of the iron-ore mine.
♦ Carry on driving until you reach the end of public road at Fearns and park in front of holiday cottages. Fossils can be found along the shore, and in burns and streams at the end of the road
♦ Ref: 57.36251°N, 5.99542°W
PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦ – Fossils are found along most of the shoreline and are easily visible on most loose rocks.
CHILDREN: ♦♦ – This is a long hard walk and is not suitable for the very young or unfit. In addition, there are no toilets here. There is a cafe/restaurant at Raasay Hotel and a small store in Inverarish.
ACCESS: ♦♦♦ – Parking is free and plentiful at the holiday cottages. An old road/track leads most of the way to Hallaig. However it is 3.2km to there and then a large descent to the shoreline, followed by the same ascent to the path again at the end of the day. There are steep cliff sections below, but there are fairly easy and accessible gullies to be found
TYPE: – Foreshore boulders are the best chance of finding good fossils.
FOSSIL HUNTING
Raasay is a geological gem and no amount of time at any fossil location can do them justice. Fossils can be found in strange places, like in small burns and waterfalls, as well as from the shoreline to up in the highest cliffs. All of these locations involve great distances, and this place demands a high level of fitness.
Hallaig is one of the most accessible locations, because an old track takes you most of the way there, but even then, you will need the whole day to see it all. Fossils can range from ammonites and belemnites, to a huge variety of large Pleinsbachian bivalves. This is a pretty undiscovered island for fossil hunters and anything is possible here. The problem may be carrying it back.
A shorter alternative location is found by dropping down onto the foreshore at the bay, just before the waterfall at Rubha na Leac. There are fossils to be found along this bay, but you cannot continue past the waterfall, as it falls directly into the sea, even at low tide.
GEOLOGY
The rocks here are Jurassic in age and are 185myrs old. Raasay has a wealth of Jurassic cliff faces covering several zones, but most are very hard to reach, and erosion here has been a slow affair.
The Jurassic sequence of Raasay is represented by Lower Lias, consisting of 180m of Pabay Shale Formation, (Sinemurian to Pliensbachian age) comprising shaley limestone and calcareous sandstones. Then there is the Middle Lias, consisting of 75m of thick white and grey Scalpa Sandstone Formation (Pliensbachian – Toarcian age).
After that, there is the Upper Lias, consisting of 25 m of thick calcareous shale, including 2.5m of Raasay Ironstone Formation (Toarcian- Bajocian age).
Then there is the Bearreraig Sandstone Formation (Toarcian- Bajocian age), made up of 210m of thick black shale, calcareous sandstones and clay.
Finally, there are rocks of the Great Estuarine Series, consisting of oil shale followed by sandstones, laminated shales and limestones.
SAFETY
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and prior knowledge of tide times is essential.
EQUIPMENT
A big hammer can be handy here, but it is a huge distance to carry too much weight and this is very remote location. In fact, cold chisels should suffice. The mobile phone signal is somewhat hit and a miss, depending on height. Take drinks and snacks, which are a must for the energy required to get here and back.
ACCESS RIGHTS
This site is an SSSI. This Special Site of Scientific Interest, means you can visit the site, but hammering the bedrock is not permitted.
Skye has a rich fossil heritage with particularly important fossils of Jurassic age. In addition to being Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) some areas of Skye’s coastline have added protection under a Nature Conservation Order (NCO). This Order seeks to protect vertebrate fossils that include the remains of dinosaurs. This guidance outlines how fossil collectors, visitors to the island and the general public have an important role in helping to look after these important fossils.
Scotland’s fossil resource is at risk of abuse and damage, and so we must all safeguard and managed fossil collecting to ensure its survival for future generations. For this reason it is VITAL you read and adhere to the Scottish Fossil Code for ALL sites in Scotland.
It is important to follow our ‘Code of Conduct’ when collecting fossils or visiting any site. Please also read our ‘Terms and Conditions‘
LINKS
♦ Buy Fossils, Crystals, Tools
♦ Location Discussions
♦ Deposits Magazine
♦ Join Fossil Hunts
♦ UK Fossils Network