Rhynie Chert
Local Geodiversity site | Aberdeenshire
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.
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
A early Devonian Lagerstatte considered to be of world importance in the study of early plants, bacteria and arthropods.
The main area of Rhynie Chert is identified as a SSSI. An additional, very small, area of Rhynie Chert has been found (c 0.1 ha) which has been added to the Geological Conservation Review Site.
Site information
Further information
A NEW EARLY DEVONIAN TRIGONOTARBID ARACHNID FROM THE WINDYFIELD CHERT, RHYNIE, SCOTLAND
Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 2 (4): 269-284 DOI: 10.1017/S147720190400149X
Geological setting of the Early Devonian Rhynie cherts, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: an early terrestrial hot spring system
C. Rice, N. Trewin, L. I. Anderson
Published in Journal of the Geological… 1 March 2002
Geology, Environmental Science
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/september/ancient-…
NHM 2023 article on cyanobacteria.
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/geosciences/departments/geology/rese…
Aberdeen Universty Rhynie Chert website. Doesn't seem to be updated regularly.
Access notes
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Safety notes
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Site highlights
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Related geosites
Overlaps with
View from SE side of Rhynie village looking to the NW. The Windyfield site is immediately behind the trees in middle distance with narrow access road, Rhynie to Dufftown, visible to the left.
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 9, 2012
(bearing 330)
Windyfield site looking NE. Line of old exploratory trench marked by light coloured grass.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
NJ 4943 2764
(bearing 040)
Close-up photo of old exploratory trench at Windyfield site, no rock visible on surface
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
NJ 4943 2764
(bearing 040)
Drilling rig searching for Rhynie Chert, Windyfield site 1988.
The results of this investigation are described in the Clive Rice paper, link shown in further information section.
Dave Longstaff
July 7, 1988
NJ 4941 2775
(bearing 159)
Aberdeen University model display showing progress in the preparation of a sample of Rhynie Chert for study. Rough Rhynie Chert sample (A) through to thin section (D) where plant or arthropod remains can be examined.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
NJ 1143 6867
Close-up of block B featured on the Aberdeen University display.
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 28, 2024
NJ 2191 6287
Close-up photograph of Rhynie Chert on display in Elgin Museum. Plant stems visible. This exhibit donated to Elgin Museum by Dr William Mackie the discoverer of the cherty rock.
Dave Longstaff
Oct. 28, 2024
NJ 2191 6289
Close-up of small block of Rhynie Chert built into a rubble wall beside Windyfield site.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
NJ 4943 2764
Aberdeen University model of Rhynie Chert plant, Horneophyton.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
NJ 2191 6289
Dr William Mackie discoverer of the significance of the Rhynie Chert. Dr Mackie was a Elgin GP becoming Medical Officer for Health.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 10, 2024
Stephen Caine model of Rhynie Chert trigonotarbid: Palaeocharinus. A mite sized arthropod on display in Elgin Museum.
Dave Longstaff
Dec. 8, 2024
NJ 2192 6283