Kirkcudbright fossils and fossil collecting |
Low
The fossils found at Kirkcudbright are found in only a few thin zones. This makes finding the fossils very hard! It is mostly a case of splitting shales until you find the correct zones.
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Not for children
We do not recommend children to this site, it is a long walk and the foreshore rocks can be slippery.
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Fair access, long walk
The location is easy to find, and parking is fairly simple, but it is a long walk although fairly easy ground. You will need to keep hopping off track to each bay to the various sites.
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Cliffs, Foreshore
Fossils are found on the foreshore in the shale's and silts. You will need to split these layers in order to find the correct zones. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, but please follow the Scottish Fossil Code below, and also our own UK Fossils Code of Conduct.
You can explore the first two sites featured in this guide, but other sites further south will need permission as this falls under a firing range. |
If you collect fossils in Scotland, the advice on best practice in the collection and storage of fossil specimens, set out in the Scottish Fossil Code, applies to you. The Code may be viewed and downloaded from www.snh.org.uk/fossilcode.
 
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Kirkcudbright mostly has low cliffs and a footpath which takes you around the coastline to access the various site along the route. although the tide does reach the cliff, as you drop down in each bay from the footpath, the risk of being cut off is very small. However, to access the foreshore beds, this must be done on a low tide. The rocks can however be very slippery so care must be taken. |
| Last updated: |
2010 |
| last visited: |
2008 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
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There are several sites along the coastline south of Kirkcudbright. The areas that are fossiliferous are Long Robin, Torrs Point, Balmae Ha'en, Howwell Bay and Mullock Bay. This guide will concentrate on the first two and the others are all inside a firing range in which you will need to seek permission to explore further. Long Robin and Torrs Point are fine to explore without any restrictions.
Along the route, you will pass the lifeboat station. South of this, is a very small bay, the next larger bay is Long Robin as marked on the OS 1:25,000 map. Here, you can find Silurian graptolites in the shale's on the foreshore. It will take a while to find the correct zone, but try splitting shale from various locations and once you find the correct zone, others can be found.
From here, go back to the main footpath and follow through the woods, and pass another smaller bay until you reach an area of rock that is Torrs Point. You will see some rocks with vertical to 75 degree bedding strata on the foreshore. Here splitting the shale can reveal Graptolites, Cephalopods, Crustaceans.
The best fossils are found at Balmae He'en which is a further mile south east along the coast. Here the same fossils as Torrs point can be found but are more abundant. You will need to check firing times and permission to visit this third site.
Wenlock shales at Kirkcudbright.
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Silurian, 425mya |
The Silurian, Wenlock shales of Kirkcudbright are of the Ross Formation. The Ross Formation is part of the Hawick Group which laminated fossiliferous carbonaceous siltstone beds in Ross Formation.
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Geological Tools
A splitting pick will be essential at this location, you will need plenty of paper to wrap your finds. |
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Stone Tumblers |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.
You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed. These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils. |
At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.
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Test Sieves are used when searching for microfossils. Microfossils can be found in many locations, and all you need is a small amount of sample such as clays, sands and shales, or if you have acid, limestone, oolite or chalk.
Our UKGE Store sells Endecotts Test Sieves, which are the highest in accuracy and extremely durable and long lasting. These Test Sieves are fantastic for microfossils. Endecotts Test Sieves come in a variety of sizes, frame material and types, they are certificated to EU Standards. |
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At Kirkcudbright, take the A711 south. There is a sharp bend where the road will veer east at "Mutehill" marked on OS 1:25,000 maps, and a unmarked road continues south. Follow this road which follows close to the estuary. 
