Elgol: Rockhounding in Highland

Elgol is a mapped rockhounding spot in Highland, United Kingdom. Reported finds include ammonite, belemnite. Below: coordinates, access notes, and nearby spots.

About Elgol

The shore at Elgol exposes Middle Jurassic rocks about 170 million years old, with the Bathonian Lealt Shale Formation (fissile silty mudstones with thin limestones and septarian nodules) sitting above the Elgol Sandstone. Certain layers are packed with bivalves, belemnites become common further along the coast, and occasional ammonites of rather poor quality appear on large fallen sandstone blocks, all beneath a view of the Black Cuillin across Loch Scavaig. The site is an SSSI, so hammering bedrock is not permitted and collecting follows the Scottish Fossil Code, taking loose material only. Beyond the main bay a rising tide can strand walkers, and mobile signal is unlikely.

UK Fossils: Elgol →

Quick details

Access: Public area
County / council area: Highland
Nearest road: B8083
Postcode: IV49 9BJ
Coordinates: 57.14860, -6.10750

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual collecting

Public-tagged UK spots are usually beaches, foreshore, or long-worked collecting localities where picking up loose material is generally tolerated. Watch the tides, never dig into cliffs, and check local bylaws before you collect.

Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Most UK land is private, beaches and foreshore generally tolerate casual pebble collecting, and SSSIs and scheduled monuments are protected. Check this site's status before you collect.

UK rockhounding rules & access guide →

Found at Elgol

Ammonite
BelemniteEncyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other UK rockhounding spots within driving distance of Elgol.

Elgol FAQ

Where is Elgol?+

Elgol is in Highland, United Kingdom, at 57.14860, -6.10750. Nearest road: B8083.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Elgol?+

Elgol is reported to produce Ammonite, Belemnite.

Is collecting allowed at Elgol?+

Generally open to casual collecting. Public-tagged UK spots are usually beaches, foreshore, or long-worked collecting localities where picking up loose material is generally tolerated. Watch the tides, never dig into cliffs, and check local bylaws before you collect. Access rules in the UK differ by nation and land type, so always confirm permission and protections before a trip.

More rockhounding in Highland

See all 7 Highland spots →

Open Elgol on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for geology, weather, directions, and saved finds.