Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that massive meat-eating dinosaurs and their plant-eating prey shared the same watering holes on Scotland’s Isle of Skye 167 million years ago. The researchers analyzed dozens of dinosaur footprints found at Prince Charles’s Point, a site named after Bonnie Prince Charlie, who sought shelter there in 1746.
The fossils revealed that different dinosaurs had congregated around shallow freshwater lagoons, similar to how animals do today. Over 130 footprints have been found so far at the site, providing valuable insights into dinosaur behavior. The discovery suggests that meat-eating theropods and plant-eating sauropods spent time in these lagoons.
The research team, led by Tone Blakesley, has found that this is not an isolated incident, but rather a common behavior among dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period. This find has made Prince Charles’s Point one of the most extensive dinosaur track sites in Scotland.
The discovery is significant as it highlights the unique blend of Scottish history and prehistory at the site. The presence of ancient dinosaurs alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape route adds to the fascination of this place, where past and present collide.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1eg84q4gz9o