Fossil Grove, Victoria Park, Glasgow

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Perhaps Glasgow’s oldest attraction, Fossil Grove is an ancient forest in Victoria Park discovered in 1887. The spectacular fossil trees seen here are relics of a very distant past, dating back to around 325 million years ago. To preserve the fossils, a structure was built around the grove shortly after discovery, which can be visited to this day.

11 trees in total, these fossils were formed after severe flooding caused sandy sediment to bury the stumps, eventually consolidating into sandstone in and around the trunk. What can be seen today are natural sandstone casts of the inside of the tree with no original plant material remaining.

Recently, water penetration into the Victorian building has caused discolouration and decay on some of the fossil exhibits. We have undertaken 3D laser scanning and mineralogical analysis to help gain a better understanding of the site and its problems.