Did you know that the island of Skye off the west coast of Scotland is not only home to some breathtaking scenery and historic castles, but that it's also home to a beach full of dinosaur footprints? Fans of these incredible creatures from the past will find they can walk with dinosaurs at An Corran beach on the east coast of the island.
Found just north of the town of Portree, close to Staffin, evidence of the past looms large on this beach where tracks of a variety of dinosaurs can be seen. These massive animals once roamed the land here leaving their mark and for children can be a magical connection between the dinosaurs and Scotland.
Best of all, sometimes the tide coming and out can leave them covered in seaweed or sand meaning you may have to take time to "uncover" the tracks allowing your little dinosaur lovers to feel like true palaeontologists.
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Fossils and footprints
On the beach, you'll find three-toed prints which are said to have been left by plant-eating dinosaurs such as Hadrosaurus but also carnivores like the mighty Megalosaurus, while further south along the coast at Brother's Point, the true giants can be seen, with sauropod prints (some up to 15in long) belonging to a dinosaur from the same family as the Brachiosaurus made famous in the Jurassic Park films.
These true monsters of the Jurassic world were thought to be more than 49ft long and weighed more than 10 tons.
It was also at Brother's Point that a pterodactyl fossil dating back more than 170 million years was discovered and is now on display at the National Museum of Scotland.
Hailed as the best-preserved skeleton of a pterosaur – a huge flying reptile – it's thought to also be the largest ever fossil of the creature discovered from the Jurassic period.
Be Prepared
Sturdy footwear is recommended and the prints are best seen at mid-tide. The best place to head for advice on where to go and see the prints (there are also other spots around the island) is the Dinosaur Museum at the nearby village of Staffin.
It's here you'll also be able to learn all about these magnificent animals which roamed the earth hundreds of millions of years ago and see the fossils found on the island. The museum costs £4 for an adult and £2 for children or £10 for a family of four.
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