Staffin Dinosaur Museum, Isle of Skye

Museum near Isle of Skye

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Nature scotland

The Staffin Dinosaur Museum is one of the most fascinating places on the Isle of Skye, offering an intimate look at the island's prehistoric past. Founded in 1976 by local fossil hunter Dugald Ross-when he was still a teenager-the museum houses an impressive, internationally recognised collection of dinosaur bones, footprints, and fossils. Set inside a humble stone barn near the roadside in Staffin, it is one of the top sights in the Isle of Skye for anyone interested in dinosaurs, geology, or the deep natural history of the island.

What makes the museum especially unique is its connection to the land around it. Many of the fossils on display were discovered right here in the Trotternish area, and Dugald Ross himself still leads tours to the often hard-to-find dinosaur footprints on Staffin Bay. This spot is one of the best places to see in the Isle of Skye for visitors looking for a hands-on, authentic encounter with Scotland's prehistoric wonders.

History and Significance of the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
Things to See and Do in the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
How to Get to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
Practical Tips on Visiting the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
Where to Stay close to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
Is the Staffin Dinosaur Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting the Staffin Dinosaur Museum
Nearby Attractions to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

History and Significance of the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

The museum was established in 1976 by Dugald Ross, who began collecting fossils in his youth and quickly developed a passion for understanding Skye’s prehistoric environment. His discoveries revealed an extraordinary range of dinosaur species that once roamed the region. Among these are Stegosaurus, Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, Hadrosaurus, and Coelophysis, all represented within the museum’s collection.

Housed in a restored stone barn, the museum blends local heritage with global scientific importance. The fossils on display provide insight into the Middle Jurassic period-an age from which few fossil-bearing sites exist worldwide. Skye is now considered one of the most significant dinosaur locations in Scotland, thanks in large part to Ross’s dedication and decades of fieldwork.

The museum’s mission goes beyond preservation. It actively connects visitors to the landscape through guided walks to Staffin’s dinosaur footprints, allowing people to see ancient tracks exactly where they were found, frozen in the shoreline rock for 170 million years.

Things to See and Do in the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Inside the museum, explore carefully displayed fossils, bones, teeth, and track casts collected from the surrounding area. Each specimen offers a glimpse into Skye’s prehistoric ecosystem and the dinosaurs that lived here.

One of the highlights is hearing first-hand stories about the discoveries from Dugald Ross himself, who is often present to answer questions and share his experiences. The museum’s small scale adds to its charm, creating a personal and engaging atmosphere.

The most exciting experience, however, is the guided trip to Staffin Bay's dinosaur footprints. These tracks can be difficult to locate without a knowledgeable guide, and the tides play a significant role in visibility. Joining a tour ensures visitors can see them safely and clearly, making this one of the things to do in the Isle of Skye for families, fossil enthusiasts, and curious travellers.

How to Get to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

The museum is located in the village of Staffin on the eastern side of the Trotternish Peninsula. The nearest major airport is Inverness Airport, which connects travellers to the Highlands before they continue onward to Skye. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Isle of Skye on Booking.com.

Visitors can take a train to Kyle of Lochalsh, then cross the Skye Bridge by bus or car, following the A87 and A855 north toward Staffin. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Driving is the easiest way to reach the museum. It sits just off the A855 in a small stone building easily recognised from the road. Parking is available beside the museum.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Suggested tips: Check tide times if planning to join a footprint tour; visibility depends on low tide.
Best time to visit: Spring to autumn when weather and tides make footprint walks easier.
Entrance fee: A small fee applies; check locally for current pricing.
Opening hours: Typically seasonal; contact ahead for times and tour arrangements.
Official website: See local Staffin tourism pages for details and updates.
How long to spend: 30 minutes inside the museum; 1-1.5 hours if joining a footprint walk.
Accessibility: The museum is compact; the footprint walk involves uneven coastal terrain.
Facilities: Limited on-site facilities; Staffin village has shops and cafes nearby.
Photography tip: Bring a macro lens or use phone close-ups to capture fossil detail.
Guided tours: Offered by the museum to see Staffin Bay’s dinosaur footprints.
Nearby food options: Cafes in Staffin offer meals and snacks before or after your visit.

Where to Stay close to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Staffin is an excellent base for exploring Skye’s prehistoric and natural highlights. Stay at Staffin House, conveniently located for local attractions. For dramatic views across northern Trotternish, consider Flodigarry Hotel. Further west, Uig Hotel provides comfortable accommodation close to both Staffin and Uig ferry connections.

Is the Staffin Dinosaur Museum Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. For its unique fossils, personal storytelling, and access to real dinosaur footprints, the museum stands out as one of the must-see places in the Isle of Skye for history lovers, families, and anyone curious about Scotland's ancient past. Its combination of local dedication and global scientific importance makes it a standout experience.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (328)

Jurassic Dinosaurs Footprints at An Corran in Skye, Portree G74 2BX is a coastal spot where visitors can examine visible dinosaur footprints in flat rock near the shore; parking is available but limited and the best time to look is around low tide when indentations are easier to spot, though some prints can be hidden by seaweed or sand. Reviewers say a clear print can be found close to the ramp from the car park if you turn right toward the rocks, and that patience, good footwear and checking photos or asking others helps locate the roughly ten or so embedded prints; the beach is clean with space to explore and there are interesting views across to a nearby fishing camp island.

Sagee Levi

2 months ago

"A favorite site not only for fans of the genre and geologists. A place where you can actually see dinosaur footprints. When we arrived, we saw hikerslooking and not finding any. But once you pay attention, you see lots of footprints in what was the Jurassic mud. Highly recommended. The road reaches right above the seashore...."

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Valérie

6 months ago

"Any chance that I get to explore a shore is worth my time. And when you do, be sure to wear good footwear and to be cautious if it is wet and whereyou walk. There is seaweed, after all. Anyone would love to be the first to observe the footprint of dinosaurs, but getting a chance to find a few of the 10 or so embedded in the rock is quite exciting. Just be patient. Consult the pictures shared on Google Maps. And don't be afraid to ask others to guide you, if you think that they have found some. It's exciting. When there has been rain, they are a little easier to identify. Some of the big rocks have shell inclusions. A family drew their own dinosaurs prints in the sand......"

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Gretchen Godbout

5 months ago

"This was SO freaking cool! We found several footprints and the fishing camp island across was interesting to learn about. The beach was clean withplenty of space to enjoy...."

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FAQs for Visiting the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

No, they are tide-dependent and tricky to locate; a guided tour is recommended.

Most were discovered by Dugald Ross, the museum’s founder.

Yes, children enjoy the fossils and footprint tours.

It is advisable, especially in peak season.

Nearby Attractions to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Staffin Beach - Home to famous dinosaur footprints on the shoreline.
The Quiraing - A dramatic landslip landscape with excellent walking routes.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls - A striking cliff and waterfall viewpoint nearby.
Lealt Gorge & Waterfall - A dramatic gorge with twin cascades.
Brothers' Point - A scenic headland walk with coastal and archaeological interest.

The Staffin Dinosaur Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Isle of Skye!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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