Staffin Beach (An Corran) – Where to Find Dinosaur Footprints on the Isle of Skye
Staffin Beach is one of the most popular beaches to visit on the Isle of Skye due to its incredible black sand and the famous dinosaur footprints that are revealed here at low tide. Staffin Beach is also relatively easy to get to in comparison to some of the other beaches on the Isle of Skye which makes it appealing to tourists.
Staffin Beach (An Corran) - Where to Find Dinosaur Footprints on the Isle of Skye
Staffin Beach is a great family friendly beach on the Isle of Skye. Visit at low tide and look out for the dinosaur footprints to relish in a bit of Skye history. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Staffin Beach as well as the following
What is Staffin Beach?
Where is Staffin Beach?
How to get to Staffin Beach?
Why Should I go to Staffin Beach?
When Should I go to Staffin Beach?
What is Staffin Beach?
Staffin Beach is a black sand beach, surrounded by rocky outcrops on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, also known an An Corran. It is well known for dinosaur footprints that were discovered on a stone slab here in 2002 and are exposed at low tide. Tourists flock to the area at low tide to hunt for the dinosaur footprints which have been en
A recent discovery of fossilised dinosaur footprints in a stone slab in 2002 has really put this beach on the map. They can be seen on a flat mudstone to the right of the large boulders on the beach and were identified as those of a three-toed Hadrosaur.
Where is Staffin Beach?
Staffin Beach is located on the Trotternish peninsula on the north east coast of Skye. Surrounded by rugged scenery and incredible sea views, Staffin Beach is a must visit on the Isle of Skye. Due to it’s close proximity to the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, it is one of the more popular beaches on the island. We would recommend visiting at low tide to get the most out of your visit to Staffin Beach.
How to get to Staffin Beach?
From Portree, leave the village past the highstreet Co-op and head towards the Old Man of Storr. Continue to follow this road for around 17 miles until you reach the small village of Staffin. Turn right down a single track road down to the boating slipway, this road is well sign posted from the main road. Staffin Beach is easily accessible from here.
Staffin Beach can also be accessed by walking from Staffin down the single track road. Parking is available at the Columbia 1400 Community Centre.
Why Should I Visit Staffin Beach?
Staffin Beach is a rare find on the Isle of Skye, if not Scotland. The black sand that is revealed at low tide gives this beach an incredible moody feel, especially on a cloudy day. Not only does Staffin Beach itself look beautiful, but the stunning backdrop overlooking the beach is breathtaking.
Staffin Beach is relatively central and close to many of the popular tourist attractions on the Isle of Skye. There is also a small amount of parking making it easily accessible if you are short on time.
When you visit, don't forget to look out for the dinosaur footprint that is revealed at low tide.
When Should I Visit Staffin Beach?
It would be common to think that the best time to visit a beach would be on a summers day when the sun is shining, however, we felt that visiting on a cloudy winters morning gave this beach the moody vibe that we were looking for. Another benefit to visiting in the off season is that it won’t be as busy and you can enjoy the beautiful views and the sounds of the crashing waves against the shore in peace. If you have your heart set on finding the dinosaur footprints you may be more likely to see them after a winter storm as any sand that has gathered there will be removed exposing the footprints. In the small village of Staffin there is a museum where you can learn more about the dinosaurs that once roamed here.
So there you have it, your guide to Staffin Beach on the Isle of Skye. If you are visiting this incredible place and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! Did you get a clear day to see the sights? Did you manage the trip without getting caught in the rain? Let us know in the comments below!
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