Spynie Quarry SSSI Traditional Cache

Spynie Quarry was designated a SSSI during a Geological Conservation Review (GCR)that was completed in 1989. Spynie Quarry consists of the Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation and was worked for stone from the 1790’s up until as recently as the 1980’s.

When the Permian and Triassic rocks of the Elgin area were laid down, the geography and climate of Northern Scotland and Britain in fact it was land locked within the giant continent of Pangaea. Scotland was then between 15° and 20° north of the equator and was hot and arid. During these times the area was receiving sediment from the adjacent highland areas. The sediment was transported into the basins and deposited largely by river systems. At the lowest point in the basin, there were probably lake-land and river flood plain areas, which supported a fauna and flora. Away from the lake-land areas, sand dunes would have migrated under the power of the prevailing winds across the surface of the basin. As Pangaea was pulled apart, the area was inundated by the sea followed by a complex sequence of events in which the basin alternated between dry land and sea during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, with the accumulation of huge amounts of sediment which covered the Permian and Triassic deposits.

The fossil remains found were from well preserved fossil remains of reptiles from the Triassic period around 225 million years ago. The reptile fossils of the Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation, amount to around 130 individuals that have been found largely within Spynie Quarry, as well as Lossiemouth East Quarry and the Findrassie Quarry sites. The skeletal remains of the animals are generally complete and occur at a low level in the formation, just below the sand dune deposits. Some of the remains show evidence of being disturbed by scavengers prior to being buried by the dunes. The fossil remains found in the sandstone exposures can appear either as actual bony material, or as moulds, which formed when the bone "dissolved" leaving behind a cavity.

Hyperodapedon gordoni : Discovered in 1858 this rhynchosaur is just over 1m in length and has a beak like snout for tearing off plant material.
Leptoplueron lacertinum : A small rodent like herbivore was possibly around 20cms long with a tail. It was first described in 185 by Richard Owen.
Ornithosuchus longidens : This speedy and aggressive carnivore could have been around 3.5m long and was probably bipedal, making it look like a dinosaur.

This site is managed by Pitgaveny Estates who have given permission for this cache. Further information regarding Spynie Quarry SSSI can be found by contacting the Scottish Natural Heritage on 01343 541551 or by visiting http://www.snh.org.uk/snhi and choosing “Site Links” from the menu on the right hand side.

Further information on the fossils found in this and other SSSIs in the Elgin area can be found at Elgin Museum. Visit www.elginmuseum.org.uk for opening times and prices.

Thank you to Scottish Natural Heritage and Elgin Museum for their support and information. Images are courtesy of Elgin Museum.