Dalmellington Burns fossils and fossil collecting |
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 There are several burns near Dalmellington which are fossiliferous. The most famous is the 'Cummock Burn'. This is found opposite Camlarg House, 400 yards upstream from the manse bridge. It can be reached by the track road to the left, as you leave Dalmellington via the B741.
North of the Craigmark village, there are partial exposures. Four deep stream gorges cut through the hillside. The most westerly gorge, which runs parallel to the road leading to Craigmark Hill is also fossilferous.
Near Benbeoch and Benbain (see 1:25,000 map), Blackburn, 400 yards NW of Benbain cottage, strata about 60 foot below Sillyhole Coal is highly rich in fossils.
GRID REF: 55.32845°N, 4.39407°W
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There are a few burns around the village of Dalmellington which have been cut into fossiliferous carboniferous shale. The most common finds are mussels but plant remains can also be found. This location is best visited after a dry spell as if the water is too high, the beds are not exposed. |
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Low
Fossils in the Dalmellington Burns can be hard to find, especially if the water level is high, having said that this is quite a classic location and some excellent specimens have been found over the years.
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Not for children
We do not recommend children to this site, some of the burns are very deep and tehe water can be a dangerous place. |
Difficult Access
The burns can be very hard to find, you will need a 1:25,000 scale map with you. |
Stream collecting
Fossils are found in the river and stream beds which cut through carboniferous rocks. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, but please follow the Scottish Fossil Code below, and also our own UK Fossils Code of Conduct. |
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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Dalmellington Burns is usually quite shallow and safe to collect, however after heavy rain or during winter months the river can be quite deep and the currents strong. Collect is almost impossible during this time as the beds are not accessible. |
Last updated:
last visited:
Written by: |
08/11/08
2008
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks
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Geological Tools
A pick is very handy at this location, you will need plenty of paper to wrap your finds.
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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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There are several burns that can be visited in this area. General, you need to search the carboniferous shale in these stream beds, splitting them if possible and look for mussels and plant remains. We recommend buying a 1:25,000 scale map to help you locate these burns.
On the right bank of the Cummock Burn opposite Camlarg House, 400 yards. Upstream from the manse bridge, east of the village, the overlying strata include several bands of shale with mussels of the higher levels of the Modiolaris zone. There are also large sections which is highly fossiliferous below the Ayr Hard Coal horizon, 100 yards from the Manse Bridge. It has yielded Anthracomya adamsi and other forms.
North of the Craigmark village (to the north of Dalmellington), there are partial exposures. Four deep stream gorges cut through the hillside. The most westerly gorge, which runs parallel to the road leading to Craigmark Hill is also fossilferous.
Near Benbeoch and Benbain, Black Burn, 400 yards NW of Benbain cottage, strata about 60 foot below Sillyhole Coal is highly rich in fossils in pale grey and white soft shale.
Carboniferous pebbles along the banks of the burn
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Carboniferous, 310mya |
The Sloanstone Coal is of Duckmantian age, (Westphalian B). It outcrops along the right bank of the Cummock Burn opposite Camlarg House. The overlying strata include several bands of shale with mussels of the higher levels of the Modiolaris zone.
North of the Craigmark village,four deep stream gorges cut through the Sillyhole Coal, which is highly rich in fossils in pale grey and white soft shale. This formation is the same age as the Sloanstone Coal.
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Stone Tumblers |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.
You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed. These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils. |
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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