Trearne Quarry

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 55.7463, -4.5963

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable Declining (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Lower Carboniferous [Dinantian - Namurian (part)] Unfavourable Declining 2026-03-23

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Trearne Quarry The site, lying 2km east of Beith, encompasses an active limestone quarry. It exposes the Dockra Limestone of the Dinantian (Lower Carboniferous) Lower Limestone Formation, which is approximately 330 million years old. Here this unit shows a reef-mount development which laterally passes into transitional bedded limestones, collectively showing a great diversity of carbonate microfacies. The fauna associated with the limestones is also very diverse and of very great palaeontological interest, and it includes many brachiopod species. A key site for studies of facies and faunas in the Lower Carboniferous rocks of Scotland.