The Isle of Skye, often referred to as Scotland’s Jurassic island, is the best location in Scotland for collecting Jurassic fossils. The island has produced numerous important discoveries and continues to yield a wide range of material from these deposits.
Fossils commonly found include ammonites, belemnites, and occasional marine reptile remains, with exposures along the coastline providing access to fossil-bearing strata. These locations are among the most significant Jurassic sites in Scotland.
Some of the best collecting areas include Bearreraig Bay and Elgol, where coastal sections regularly produce fossils from well-exposed Jurassic rocks.
Bearreraig Bay on the Isle of Skye exposes a Jurassic marine succession rich in ammonites, belemnites and bivalves, with important fossil plants and an international Aalenian–Bajocian boundary reference section. The steep approach and tidal shore demand care; collecting depends on current permissions and conservation rules. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Elgol’s bivalve-packed Jurassic rocks bring ancient lagoons to life beneath the Black Cuillin skyline. The shore north of the harbour reveals shell-rich limestones, burrows and mudcracks, while the wider coast preserves a remarkable record of Middle Jurassic vertebrates and changing coastal environments. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Belemnites and shell-packed rocks bring the Jurassic shore at Faoilean to life. On the west side of Loch Slapin, sandstone cobbles and outcrops contain bivalves and belemnite fragments, with rare ammonite remains recorded farther north. The shore also introduces the sandstone succession for which this part of Skye is geologically important. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
Lustrous ammonites, belemnites and shell-filled nodules make Flodigarry’s Jurassic shore a fascinating place to explore. On the northern side of Staffin Bay, fossil-rich mudrocks preserve the international reference point for the start of the Kimmeridgian. Their changing ammonite assemblages tell a remarkably detailed story across the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
The weathered limestone slopes of Ben Suardal offer a glimpse of an ancient tropical sea. Look closely at the grey rock surfaces for silicified gastropod coils, standing out in the harder cherty material. These elusive fossils belong to the Ordovician part of the Durness succession, long before the Jurassic fossils better known from Skye’s shores. Ordovician, Inland Outcrop, Rating: ♦♦
The rugged shore north of Camustianavaig rewards careful observation with Jurassic ammonites and large fossil shells, set beneath the dramatic slopes of Beinn Tianavaig. Fossil-rich blocks, dark shale and younger plant-bearing rocks tell several different chapters of Skye’s geological history. The narrow coastal path and boulder-strewn shore make this a demanding outing for experienced walkers. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
The rugged shore between Holm and Prince Charlie’s Cave, north of Portree, exposes a remarkable succession of Jurassic ammonites and large fossil shells. Sandstone blocks, dark shales and iron-rich beds record changing seas along this remote part of Skye. Reaching the exposures involves a long, demanding walk over boulders and around tidal headlands. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Rigg is a rugged locality on the east coast of Skye, north of Bearreraig Bay, where Jurassic marine fossils occur in sandstone ledges and fallen blocks. Ammonites, belemnites and shell-bearing rocks reward careful observation, while younger strata in Rigg Burn add a different chapter to the local geology. The difficult approach, rough shore and tidal restrictions make this a visit for experienced, well-prepared walkers. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Valtos and Dun Dearg expose sandstone cliffs and a boulder-strewn shore with dinosaur footprints, shell-rich beds and large rounded concretions. The Bathonian, Middle Jurassic rocks preserve traces of life around ancient lagoons, making this a rewarding locality for careful observation and photography. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Dunans has a small, boulder-strewn shore where Jurassic marine mudstones yield ammonites, belemnites and bivalves. The beach below Loch Shianta includes the type section of the Dunans Clay Member, with fossil-bearing rock exposed between the stones at low tide. Search naturally weathered, loose material: the fragile shells and scientifically important beds need careful treatment. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Explore Lower Jurassic fossils on the low rocky shores and tidal inlets of the Ardnish Peninsula, east of Broadford. Layers rich in ammonites and devil’s toenails alternate with less fossiliferous rocks, making this a rewarding place to observe an ancient marine succession. Plan around the tides and put responsible observation first on this scientifically important coast. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Hallaig’s remote eastern shore on the Isle of Raasay exposes fossil-rich Lower Jurassic rocks beneath a spectacular landslip. Ammonites, brachiopods and large bivalves record changing seas, while the shore north of the ruined township reveals an important shale-to-sandstone transition. The separate bay towards Rubha na Leac exposes older fossil-bearing limestones. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Waterloo’s low rocky shore, on the eastern side of Broadford Bay, offers a short introduction to Skye’s Early Jurassic marine fossils. Curved oyster shells, other bivalves and occasional ammonites occur in the shore rocks and loose material. The main interest is the Ardnish Formation, exposed in tidal pavements close to the village. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Glasnakille’s Jurassic sandstone coast offers scattered belemnite sections and bivalves among rocky bays and striking cross-bedded cliffs. Finds are usually fragmentary, and the separate beaches require different approaches: this is a locality for patient observation, with tides and difficult access shaping every visit. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
