Ten well-known fossiliferous Scottish locations have been unveiled in a unique new book by a leading Aberdeen expert on Scottish fossils.
From Jurassic shorelines in Skye with dinosaurs, to Carboniferous forests, rivers and volcanoes in Edinburgh, an array of ancient environments are explored in the publication "Fossils Alive! Or new walks in an old field" by Nigel Trewin, Professor of Geology, University of Aberdeen.
Ancient hot-spring pools and geysers in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, a great tsunami at Helmsdale, the ancient fish of an ancient Devonian lake in Caithness, and strange reptiles at Hopeman are all highlighted as part of the ten geologically inspiring locations which feature in the book.
Combining scientific evidence gathered by the author during his research, the book takes the reader back millions of years on time-travel excursions to investigate the fauna, flora and landscapes of a variety of Scottish localities.
The publication aims to both enthuse and educate as Professor Trewin explains:
"Scotland is blessed with an exciting geological past, with an array of ancient environments spanning millions of years. The ten locations I have chosen to highlight are examples of some of the diverse fossiliferous areas of Scotland, where intriguing tales of ancient fossils can be told. Using the available scientific evidence my aim is to provide glimpses of the natural history of ancient Scotland. My hope is that the reader will be informed, entertained and inspired to go out and discover the ancient environments of Scotland for themselves."
"Fossils Alive! Or new walks in an old field" by Nigel Trewin, Professor of Geology, University of Aberdeen is published by Dunedin Academic Press.