Argyll-ausaurus!

Scotland stars in new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom film

Dinosaur fans rushing to see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in cinemas today (6 June 2018) can look out for an appearance of Scotland amongst the Dino-action.

Part of the new blockbuster was filmed at the Glen Mallan Jetty on Loch Long, near Arrochar, Argyll. Filming took place in April last year and can be glimpsed in the latest trailer here.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom takes place three years after the events of Jurassic World. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles. But when the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

In addition to Scotland, filming took place in England, including London’s Pinewood Studios, and Hawaii.

Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland, said: “It’s fitting that one of the summer’s biggest blockbusting adventures should feature Argyll, Scotland’s own adventure coast. Loch Long’s appearance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom marks an exciting time for film tourism in Scotland.

“Major productions such as this not only boost the local economy in the short-term but can have long-lasting effects, with film fans seeking out the locations used.

“Scotland’s links to the prehistoric past stretch far beyond the cinema screen, however, from recently discovered dinosaur tracks on Skye to fossil-hunting on the Isle of Mull.”

Aileen Morton, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “Argyll and Bute’s stunning natural landscape is one of our biggest assets. I’m delighted that major international studios are making the most of all it has to offer as the ideal set for all sorts of film productions.

“Being part of Jurassic World shows that we have the capacity and the locations to support large scale, high profile productions. I have seen the previous Jurassic movies and I’m looking forward to seeing this one – particularly since it’s filmed right on our doorstep.

“This really opens up Argyll and Bute to a global audience.”

The journey doesn’t end after a trip to the cinema: from hunting dinosaurs, to digging for fossils, read on for more suggestions and get planning for a journey back in time in Scotland.

Dinosaur footprints, Isle of Skye

Staffin Dinosaur Museum, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9JE

Now famous for the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools, visitors can explore traces of dinosaurs on the island of Skye, including the sight of 50 recently discovered tracks, some as big as a car tyre, from dinosaurs that roamed the island during the middle Jurassic period. The sauropod tracks are located on Staffin beach. This builds upon the discovery of other dinosaur footprints back in 2015. It is recommended that visitors begin the journey at the Staffin Dinosaur Museum, which offers daily guided tours of the footprint sites. See www.staffindinosaurmuseum.com for more details and advice on visiting.

Michaelswood Dinosaur Trail, Shetland

Airth, Shetland ZE2 9NB

A popular picnic spot located in the village of Airth, the woodland area was developed in memory of Michael Ferrie, a young musician from the village who passed away from cancer in 1996. The area is a vibrant place with many interesting and enchanting features to entertain, educate and excite. The Dinosaur Trail consists of life-sized dinosaurs living out their Jurassic existence among the trees. Visitors can read all about them from storyboards, developed by pupils from local schools. Look out for the Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus and the sabre toothed tiger.

Donations welcome, for more information go to: www.michaelswood.co.uk

Fossil Hunting, Isle of Mull

Carsaig Bay, Carsaig, PA70 6HD

Venture through the rugged coastline of Mull, to find the beautifully hidden cove of Carsaig Bay on the south of the island, to find traces of Jurassic activity. On a rocky platform east of Carsaig Pier and accessible by a track, there are considerable number of ammonite casts, some fairly large. Ammonites (marine molluscs) which are now extinct were found at a time when the dinosaurs roamed the land. Look closely at the rock formations further west within the bay and see that the beach is littered with examples of extinct Gryphaea (Oyster type mollusks) as well as Belemnites.

Further information and advice for visiting area can be found at: www.holidaymull.co.uk . Access to some parts of the shore and rocks is dependent on the time of day and the tides.

Dinosaurs and fossils at the Hunterian Museum & Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow

Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG

Dino fanatics should definitely trek to the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow, if only to see Scotland’s first dinosaur print, along with other dinosaur bones, including the Bearsden Shark. There is also a full size plesiosaur on display. In addition, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum showcases a multitude of dino relics in its Creatures of the Past Gallery. The museum has 8,000 objects and dinosaur and fossil lovers will be pleased to know the collection includes a 2.6 metre skeleton of Stenopterygius, crocodilian remains and an almost complete shell of a Jurassic turtle.

Free to visit. www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/ ,

www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum

ENDS