The north of Scotland is an important area for fossil hunting, particularly in the northeast, where a range of significant deposits are exposed. This region includes some of the few locations in Scotland where Jurassic fossils can be collected, including ammonites and occasional marine reptile remains along the coast, influenced by the Helmsdale Fault.
Helmsdale itself is a classic site, known for its geological significance and evidence of ancient events, while the surrounding coast provides access to Jurassic strata. These exposures are rare within Scotland and offer valuable collecting opportunities.
The region is also famous for its Devonian fish deposits, with sites such as Achanarras Quarry and Thurso yielding exceptionally well-preserved specimens, including material from which new species have been described.
The thin flagstones of Achanarras Quarry preserve a remarkable community of Middle Devonian freshwater fishes. This disused Caithness quarry offers the chance to examine finely layered lake sediments and search loose spoil for scales, armour and, with patience, more complete fish. NatureScot welcomes visitors and allows limited collecting under its published site rules. Devonian, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Helmsdale’s Late Jurassic foreshore records an ancient submarine landscape beside an active fault. Its distinctive Boulder Beds contain broken shells, corals and fossil wood, together with enormous blocks of much older Devonian rock. The shore northeast of the harbour rewards careful observation, although its rocky ground and tidal headlands require planning. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
The rocky shore east of Thurso exposes Middle Devonian flagstones with abundant fragmentary fossil fish remains. Scales and pieces of bony armour are the most realistic finds; complete fish are much rarer. The low cliffs and broad rock platforms also reveal the changing conditions of an ancient lake. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Lothbeg’s Jurassic foreshore brings together pale sandstone, dark laminated siltstone and drifted plant fossils on the Sutherland coast. Around Lothbeg Point, ammonites and shells record a deepening sea beside an active fault, while leaves and other plant fragments reveal the nearby land. Exposure changes as sand and seaweed cover the rocks. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Below Dunrobin Castle, the foreshore north of Golspie reveals a changing landscape of Triassic soils, river deposits and Lower Jurassic marine rocks. Shelly beds contain bivalves and brachiopods, with rarer ammonites and belemnites, but sand and seaweed often conceal the best exposures. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Crakaig’s Jurassic foreshore is a rocky, seaweed-covered shore north of the campsite, with striking sedimentary boulder beds and occasional exposures of finer fossil-bearing rock. The original visit recorded ammonites and shells, but sand and shingle often conceal the finer beds. This is a demanding shore where changing exposure matters more than a particular season. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
At Tarbat Ness, Devonian sandstone ledges near the lighthouse have yielded small fish remains, chiefly scales and occasional larger fragments. The exposed rocky shore also offers striking cross-bedding and pebbly river deposits, but access is difficult and collecting requires permission. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
A steep woodland walk leads to Eathie Haven, where Hugh Miller explored a shore rich in geological contrasts. Jurassic ammonites and exceptionally preserved plants come from the rocks south of the old fishing station, while much older Devonian beds to the north have yielded fossil fish. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
Kintradwell’s Jurassic foreshore combines fossiliferous shales with folded sandstones and spectacular boulder beds. When the sand has cleared, ammonites, belemnites and bivalves can be seen among rocks that record an unstable ancient sea floor beside the Helmsdale Fault. Allow for a long coastal walk. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Brora’s town beaches reveal a varied Jurassic shoreline, with fossil-bearing rocks on both sides of the river mouth. Ammonites, bivalves and belemnites occur in the marine beds, while older rocks on the south foreshore record rivers, lagoons and the development of the Brora coalfield. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Portgower’s seaweed-covered foreshore exposes Jurassic boulder beds containing shell debris and enormous blocks of much older rock. The best-known is the ‘fallen stack’, a transported mass of Devonian flagstone with traces of ancient lake environments. This is a rewarding shore for studying fossils in their geological setting, although uneven rocks and tidal cover make close examination demanding. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
The low shore east of John O’Groats pier exposes a Middle Devonian fish bed within the John O’Groats Sandstone Formation. Fish scales and fragments are more likely to be recognised than complete fish, but this small protected exposure has yielded specimens of lasting scientific importance. Visit to observe and photograph its fossils and sedimentary structures. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
The Jurassic river cliffs at Bruachrobie preserve belemnites, fragile ammonite impressions and traces of life on a changing seabed. Alternating mudstones and sandstones of the Strathsteven Mudstone Formation make this a valuable Callovian geological section, best appreciated from safe established paths. Jurassic, River Cliffs, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
South of Balintore, Jurassic foreshore ledges at Port-an-Righ and Cadh’-an-Righ lie against Devonian sandstone along the Great Glen fault system. Oysters and belemnites occur here, while red-weathering ironstone nodules preserve ammonites. The best exposures depend on low tides and the shifting cover of sand and shingle. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
