
Fossils
Scotland has a remarkable diversity of fossils, which tell us about life here as far back as 1,200 million years ago.
Scotland has a remarkable diversity of fossils, which tell us about life here as far back as 1,200 million years ago.
Scottish fossils help us to understand the:
Hugh Miller and other Scottish geologists active in the 19th century established basic geological principles using fossils from Scottish localities. Today, these fossil localities are of historical and cultural importance.
Scotland’s fossil heritage is important for:
Its wide range of users ranges from research scientists and university students to commercial collectors and the general public.
To conserve this finite and irreplaceable resource, it’s vital that anyone collecting fossils does so responsibly. Always follow the Scottish Fossil Code.
Additional guidance applies if you’re fossil collecting on Skye, Scotland’s ‘Dinosaur Island’, areas of which additional special protection by means of a Nature Conservation Order (NCO).
Find out more about protecting our geodiversity.
Learn more about fossil collecting in Scotland on the Scottish Geology website.