Trearne Quarry fossils and fossil collecting |
Not for children
This is a working quarry and is not suitable for children, it is too dangerious and children will not be allowed to enter. |
Fair Access
Access to the quarry can be made be via its main in – out road, though this is not advisable during the week or while the quarry is working. The location can be hard to find, but if you follow our directions, you shouldn't have any problems. |
Working Quarry
This is a working quarry, permission will be given provided that you keep clear of the fresh faces, collecting will only be permitted from the old faces which is away from the workings. For permission details, please see below. |
SSSI - Permission
Permission should be gained by the quarry manager. Access may not be given depending on the stability of the rock faces on the day. This is an SSSI, so please do not over collect. |
If you collect fossils in Scotland, the advice on best practice in the collection and storage of fossil specimens, set out in the Scottish Fossil Code, applies to you. The Code may be viewed and downloaded from www.snh.org.uk/fossilcode.
 
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Trearne Quarry can be very boggy, especially during the winter and after heavy rain. Some areas have steep sides, please take extreme care and we recommend the use of hard hats and goggles. |
Last updated:
last visited:
Written by: |
26/07/09
2009
Steve Cartwright
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Geological Tools
Most fossils can be found by searching the loose scree and shale, a knife and trowel is handy, but for the limestone blocks, a hammer and chisel is useful. You may need a pick for the shale.
Take plenty of paper to wrap your specimens as some can be very fragile, together with something to put them in.
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Many varieties of fossil fauna can be found and collected here within a very short distance and time. Amongst these are Brachiopods, Bivalves, Gastropods, Corals, Crinoids, Blastoids, Polyzoan, and the occasional Sharks Tooth and Trilobite Carapace, the best specimens of all these can be found in the dark grey shale beds.
The rock face itself is only around 15 – 20 feet high but care has still to be taken when walking near the edge or near to the face as most of the quarry has not been worked for some years. Although this is the case, many fossils are still being weathered out and can easily be removed.
On entering the quarry from its main entrance road, check the strata on the right here the shale beds are full of fossils in near perfect condition. Work your way round the quarry keeping the rock face to your right and you will see
limestone and shale horizontal bedding all containing fossils of the species mentioned.
Ahead of you, you will eventually see the new work face. Please keep clear of the new face.
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Carboniferous |
Trearne Quarry cuts into the marine limestone’s and shale deposits of the Upper Carboniferous.
Weathered Carboniferous Limestone
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Other nearby locations which have carboniferous shale are; Dalmellington Tip, Auchinleck Tip and Saltcoats. There are also locations in the Edinburgh district including East Wemyss
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Related Books |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
The best guide available for this area is the small booklet on Girvan published by the Geological Survey and available from our online store. It is a sheet explanation and covers the geological formations around Girvan in great detail, along with the fossils found and further locations not featured on this website.
Click here for this book.
The standard geological map of Girvan is also an excellent buy showing you exactly where the best beds are, and is related to from the sheet explanation.
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At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.
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Test Sieves are used when searching for microfossils. Microfossils can be found in many locations, and all you need is a small amount of sample such as clays, sands and shales, or if you have acid, limestone, oolite or chalk.
Our UKGE Store sells Endecotts Test Sieves, which are the highest in accuracy and extremely durable and long lasting. These Test Sieves are fantastic for microfossils. Endecotts Test Sieves come in a variety of sizes, frame material and types, they are certificated to EU Standards. |
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Our International Rock
and Fossil Magazine |
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From Gateside and take the first turn on your right onto Sharon Street. (This is not named). (200 metres along this road, on your right you will see a small parking space beside a gate. This can be parked in if you want to enter the quarry not by its main entrance). 
