Elgin Reptiles

[5] The first Elgin Reptile was discovered in 1844, but because it was only a few scales scientists of the time believed it was an Old Red Sandstone fish fossil,[5] which were relatively well-known from sites across Northern Scotland.

[6] The Elgin Reptiles, footprints, and older fish fossils held by the Elgin Museum are “recognised” by the Scottish Government as a Collection of National Significance due to the major part played by the Museum’s founders and associated geologists in helping answer questions about geological succession that challenged 19th century naturalists.

[3] The land North of Elgin consists of fragments of Permian, Triassic and Jurassic bedrocks on the edge of the Moray Firth Basin, south of the Great Glen Fault.

The intervening Carboniferous sediments were eroded before the Permian deposition, leaving a 100 million year gap in the stratigraphy.

[8][5] Permian, Triassic and Jurassic rocks are rare in Scotland, but some can be found along the Northern edge of the Moray Firth, and in the Inner Hebrides, particularly on the Isle of Skye.

The Hopeman Sandstone Formation quarry at Clashach is designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Importance) for its fossils.

[3] Many of the type and significant specimens are on display, with more fossils and archives in the collection at Elgin Museum, available for study and research.