Earth Systems
Our Earth Systems collection of around 70,000 specimens represents Scotland’s geological history and global mineralogical diversity.
Our collection of minerals, meteorites and rocks includes everything from 4.65 Byr old meteorites through to anthropogenic minerals.
We have nearly 2,000 mineral species as per International Mineralogical Association classification. Altogether we have approximately 70% of all known mineral species from Scotland including good representation from the Leadhills/Wanlockhead, Strontian, Alva and Talnotry mined areas, to name a few.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like to use any for research.
Notable collections include; minerals from important historical mining regions in or near Scotland, an internationally renowned agate collection, the Heddle Collection of Scottish minerals, many unusual igneous rocks from inaccessible regions, and a small but diverse meteorite collection (including three of the four known Scottish meteorites).
Our igneous suites include a good coverage of St Kilda island rocks and Gardar Suite rocks from Greenland. Important historical specimens include eastern Africa ores collected by David Livingstone, the first Beagle expedition, and the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition.
Whilst our oldest collection of rocks was assembled nearly 300 years ago we are still actively interested in acquiring new specimens.
Meet the team
Earth Systems stories
The Roaring Game: Scotland's curling stone island
Natural world
Written by Dr Bob GoodayDid you know that all curling stones are quarried on a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig?
What's in a firework? Minerals that bang
Natural world
Written by Emily BrownSo, you light a firework, you stand back and WHOOSH, off it shoots into the air. A few seconds wait and then BOOM, the firework explodes in a shower of coloured sparkles raining down from the sky. To get this sequence of events, you need…
The folky tale of the mineral tacharanite
Natural world
This mineral got its name from how it behaves when exposed to air, but with a Scottish folkloric twist!Tacharanite occurs in nature as bundles and little spheres of silky white fibres in altered basalt rocks. It's found in several…
