The old and ancient at Marshalland
A 340 million year old collection of Crinoid fossils have been found by the NAC Garnock Valley Ranger in a boulder located near the site of what was an old quarry at Marshalland, off the Barrmill Road. Crinoids are stalked starfish, now quite rare, that live in shallow seawater. The fossils, now kept at Eglinton Country Park, are very well preserved and will be used by the NAC Ranger Service for eductional purposes. They can be seen, on request, at the Visitor Centre.
Next to the fossil find site at Marshalland is an old Sycamore tree which might otherwise also be regarded as ancient, having a girth of over three metres and roots that have formed buttresses so as to support the weight of this massive centennarian. The tree will be added to the Ancient and Notable Trees register on the web. Please pass on any other suggestions for the tree register via S1 Beith.
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