Dinosaurs on the Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is well known for being called Scotland in Miniature but miniature is not what some of its previous inhabitants could be called!

The coast at Cleats Shore showing stone dykes and slabs.

The rocks and stones around the island provide a wonderful insight into the past which includes dinosaurs.  The geology has been well studied by scientists due to the geological findings known now as Huttons Unconformity and the first dinosaur footprints were discovered in the last 10 years at various locations around the island. It probably should be said that the island would still have been part of the mainland during this era of around 230 million years ago.

The large footprint near Kings Caves

Some of the reptile like creatures were likely to have been similar to large komodo lizards or crocodiles and were around 12 foot long with hand like feet. The first acknowledged footprint found is between Drumadoon point and Kings Caves.  This footprint is set back from the beach but can easily be found on a well trodden boggy path.  Due to rock movement the print is upright above the stream.

One of the slabs at Cleats shore with a clear track

However, more prints that form a track can be found on Cleats Shore.  What can be seen depend on weather and the amount of seaweed deposits vary throughout the year.  Puddles of seawater left in the indentations assist with spotting the tracks. Over 100 track ways have been recorded on Arran but that is not to say there aren't some still to find.

Water in the tracks makes them easier to spot

Other tracks of a giant millipede can be found at the Cock of Arran and these formed part of a documentary by SirDavid Attenborough and can be viewed on this link.

Our nearest holiday properties to the footprints on Cleats Shore are Torrlinn Beach House and Kilbride Farmhouse.