Isle of Skye (Dinosaur Coast)
Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland · United Kingdom
Type
Coastal Track & Bone Site
Age
Middle Jurassic (Bearreraig Bay / Valtos formations), ~170 mya
Established
Tracks known since 19th century; major finds ongoing
Best time
May–September for long daylight and lower tides during daytime hours
- ◆Sauropod and theropod tracks at Staffin Bay and Brother's Point
- ◆Middle Jurassic — a poorly known interval globally
- ◆Recent discoveries of Stegosaur and Ceratosaur material
- ◆Dramatic Trotternish escarpment coastline
Photos
Overview
The Isle of Skye preserves one of the world's most important Middle Jurassic dinosaur records — a time period poorly represented globally. Along the coast of the Trotternish Peninsula, tides expose footprints and bone fragments from sauropods, theropods, and ornithopods in 170-million-year-old sandstones and limestones. Skye has transformed from a hidden local secret into a globally recognized dinosaur destination.
Geology
The dinosaur-bearing rocks belong to the Bearreraig Bay and Valtos formations, deposited in a subtropical coastal environment during the Middle Jurassic. Tidal flats, lagoons, and river mouths preserved tracks when dinosaurs walked across wet sand and carbonate mud. Bone beds are rarer but include fragments and teeth washed from cliff faces.
What You See
At low tide, visit Staffin Bay and Brother's Point (An Corran) to search for exposed tracks — some are visible in bedrock platforms. The Staffin Dinosaur Museum (small, private) displays local finds. Cliff falls occasionally expose new bone material, but collecting is prohibited.
Famous Finds
Recent decades brought significant discoveries including Stegosaur and Ceratosaur-related material — rare for Middle Jurassic Europe. Trackways show sauropods and carnivorous theropods sharing the same ancient shoreline.
Visiting
Base in Portree or Staffin. Check tide tables — tracks are only visible at low tide. Wear sturdy boots; Scottish coast weather changes fast. Respect croft land and do not hammer cliffs.
Best time to visit
May–September for long daylight and lower tides during daytime hours. Winter storms erode cliffs but access is dangerous. Always check tide times before visiting track sites.
Getting there
From Glasgow/Edinburgh: drive to Kyle of Lochalsh (~5 hours) or take the train, then cross the Skye Bridge. From Portree, Staffin is 30 minutes north on A855. No airport on Skye — Inverness is the nearest major airport (~2.5 hours).
Map
Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland — approximate location only. Exact fossil localities are not published to protect sites from looting.
Market & Provenance
Skye fossils are protected. Any Scottish or UK dinosaur material on the commercial market should have clear legal provenance — Middle Jurassic European dinosaur fossils are scientifically valuable and tightly regulated.
Collecting & Legality
Collecting is prohibited without permission from NatureScot and the landowner. Skye's dinosaur sites are geologically and scientifically sensitive. Removing tracks or bones is illegal and damages irreplaceable context.
FAQ
Can I collect a track or bone?
No. Fossils in Scotland are protected under the Nature Conservation Act and related designations. Collection without permission is illegal.
When is low tide?
Check BBC Weather or tide-forecast.com for Staffin/Portree. Plan to arrive 1–2 hours before lowest tide.
Are there guided tours?
Local guides and the Staffin museum offer context. Some tours run from Portree during summer.