In 1996 Open University student, Mrs Carol Hopkins, informed me a number of unreported tracks and trackways from the Hopeman Sandstone (Permo-Trias) near Elgin. Mrs Hopkins has since discovered several hundred new tracks and trackways, mostly from one quarry near Hopeman, Elgin. Sizes of the tracks fell into four broad size categories from hind prints of about 3cm to over 40cm in length. Some damage to known trackways as well as new trackways in this classic area are cause for concern.

 Due to the re-opening of the Clashach Quarry near Hopeman, this important trackway below is now half the length it was before operations began. The quarry is being worked for building stone to be used in the new extension of the National Museums of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh.  The trackway below now forms part of a display area just outside the quarry.  Information boards were produced by Scottish Natural Heritage in association with the Royal Museum of Scotland, Mrs Carol Hopkins, the Moray Stone Cutters, and the Hunterian Museum.
 
 

One of the useful by-products Clashach Quarry re-opening is the opportunity for new material to be uncovered. Some of the smaller tracks are exquisite imprints showing digits clearly. Many of the tracks have now been rescued into the collections of the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the Elgin Museum with help from the Scottish Natural Heritage. The animals that produced these tracks were moving across sand dunes and overbank splays. The stride lengths suggest a variety of travelling speeds.
 
 

Other tracks and trackways have been discovered on loose blocks on the beach between Hopeman and Burghead. The shape of the tracks may be a function of both the unconsolidated consistency of the sand and recent weathering of the surface. These specimens are now in the Elgin Museum.
 
 

Outwith the SSSI sites, that cover most of the quarries and foreshore around Elgin, is a trackway that has recently been vandalised. The collector has removed one track from this trackway (presumably the most aesthetic track) reducing its scientific worth. Even if the track were recovered it would be difficult to replace it in context due to the straight-edged method of removal. This specimen has now been rescued by a joint operation between the SNH and the Royal Museum of Scotland and was widely reported in the press. The best reports were in the local papers on the 12th and 13th of February, 1997 (Press and Journal and The Northern Scot)

 The model of Elginia is a new addition to the displays at the Elgin Museum. It is only used here for scale, not to suggest that it might have been the track-maker.

Reference: Haubold, H. 1996, Ichnotaxonomie und Klassifikation von Tetrapodenfährten aus dem Perm. Hallesches Jahrb. Geowiss.18, pp23-88.

Several new discoveries have come to light from the Clashach Quarry. One noteable one is the tail drags associated with tracks and another is a six-toed footprint. Whether it is a six-toed track or not will remain to be seen as we research the track further.

'click' on image to obtain a higher resolution 272K image.

Another discovery is that of the first animal remains from this quarry.
 
 

Please also visit the Hunterian Museum .