Rhynie Chert
Geological Conservation Review site | GCR #1480 | Palaeontology | Palaeoentomology
Scotland's geosites are chosen because of their local, national or international importance. Take only photos, leave only footprints: avoid causing any damage to this site. You can walk almost anywhere in Scotland without the need to ask permission or keep to paths, but you have a responsibility to care for your own safety, to respect people's privacy and peace of mind and to cause no damage.
This site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of a SSSI, and this includes unauthorised sample collection.
The right of access does not extend to quarries, building sites or any land where public access is prohibited, or to the collection of geological samples.
Summary
The Rhynie Chert is world famous for yielding the earliest known insect, Rhyniella praecursor Hurst and Maulik. Rhyniella is a small wingless insect, only 1.5mm long, preserved in very good detail. The lack of any other insect records prior to the diverse insect faunas of the Upper Carboniferous makes this a site of international interest to palaeontologists and biologists alike.
Site information
Access notes
There are no access notes yet.
Safety notes
There are no safety notes yet.
Site highlights
There are no site highlights yet.
Further information
There are no further information notes yet.