Clashach Quarry
Geological Conservation Review site | GCR #3258 | Palaeontology | Permian - Triassic Reptilia
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
Internationally important sandstone quarry renowned for the abundance and diversity of late Permian reptile trackways that are revealed by quarrying operations. A fossilised Dicynodont skull, found in 1997, shows the potential for important fossil finds.
The abundance and diversity of the trackways from Clashach Quarry is unrivalled in the Permian of Britain, with the greatest range of size and taphonomy recorded. Anecdotal accounts of the finds from other quarries within the formation indicate they may have been of comparable diversity, unfortunately scant record was kept of these finds and the whereabouts of many of the tracks is unknown. At the time of writing trackways continue to be excavated at Clashach and the potential for continued research at the site is excellent due to the enthusiastic cooperation of the quarry operators. This is the only locality within the Hopeman Sandstone to yield an identifiable body fossil which has enabled an age determination for the formation.
A display area with interpretation panels has been constructed adjacent to the quarry, and new finds of suitable quality not destined for museums are housed here. The present quarry operators readily donate museum specimens, and material is currently held in the National Museums of Scotland, Hunterian Museum, Elgin Museum, and University of Aberdeen. The display area and fresh quarried surfaces with ready access to the quarry by arrangement ensure this is a unique research and educational resource. Clashach is important for its diversity of footprints sizes and forms; the behavioural indicators observed in the trackways; the number of trackways on various horizons; and the potential for in situ observations. It provides a unique opportunity to record significant data on the position and diversity of all the tracks excavated, and not confine these observations to specimens suitable only for museum collections.
(Proposed by Colin MacFadyen, SNH, April 2005)
Site information
Access
Restricted parking (5-6 cars) is available at NJ 15973 69316 which is just off the B9040 and opposite a side road leading to Duffus. The quarry is then a 10 minute walk up rough tracks. This is an operational quarry operated by Tennants Quarries from whom permission should be sought to enter the quarry.
https://tennantselgin.com/
Further information
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271211672_A_new_sp…
A new specimen of Dicynodon traquairi (Newton) (Synapsida: Anomodontia) from the Late Permian (Tartarian) of northern Scotland.
Arthur R I Cruickshank, Neil Donald Lewis Clark, Calum Adams
Related geosites
Overlaps with:
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 10, 1993
Detail of in-situ Permian Dicynodont trackway.
Dave Longstaff
April 16, 1999
Newly sited Dicynodont trackway positioned in centre of display area looking north. Note lack of gorse which at time of writing, Nov 2023, is overwhelming the east of this display arera.
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 10, 1993
Credit: Colin Macfadyen. Clashach Quarry looking westwards. In-situ Permian fossil footprint locality arrowed
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 15, 1999
Northern Scot 15th Oct 1999. Award of LASMO Geological Challenge Award to Carol Hopkins and Moray Stone Cutters Ltd for initiative in setting up display area at Clashach Quarry.
Dave Longstaff
April 16, 1999
Northern Scot article 16th April 1999. New Clashach Quarry Permian fossil footprint display area opened.
Dave Longstaff
Clashach public display looking east. Permian footprint bearing slabs slowly becoming engulfed by gorse despite efforts of clearing.
Dave Longstaff
May 8, 2023
Detail of cross bedding in 'Old Clashach Quarry' disused early 20C.
This area has displays of exceptional exposures of cross bedding with evidence of old quarrying methods and dates carved into rock 1781 being the earliest.
Dave Longstaff
Example of 3 trackways, of 25, preserved in public viewing area. Despite gardening the encroachment of gorse on the east side of the display area is overwhelming the blocks.
Dave Longstaff
Jan. 20, 2023
Trackway of medium/large Dicynodont which has been put safely to one side by quarry workers. Situated near quarrymen's huts looking east.
Edit: June 2024 slab taken away for processing at Tennants worksops.
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 9, 2022
Clashach Quarry from south wall looking towards entrance.
Crushed blocks litter the sloping foreground. Larger blocks awaiting processing.
Dave Longstaff
Clashach Quarry from main entrance looking SEwards where the main wall of the quarry sits. Operations in 2023 minimal.
Dave Longstaff
May 4, 2023
Photograph, looking east, showing newly constructed Moray Coastal Path in area adjacent to quarry. Old path at quarry edge visible on left. Planning permission granted for quarry expansion in this region.
Dave Longstaff
July 8, 2023
The in-situ slab, half the size of the original, relocated in a public viewing area.
The orientation, heading northeastwards, and angle of elevation was preserved in the relocation.
Dave Longstaff
May 5, 1995
The in-situ trackway of, probably, a dicynodont located in the central floor of Clashach Quarry. Operational needs meant that the slab was lifted and relocated near the quarry entrance for public viewing.
Dave Longstaff
May 5, 2021
Entrance sign to Clashach Quarry. All photographs unless specified Dave Longstaff.