Stan Wood discovered the one-metre-long fossil of the Stethacanthidae family of prehistoric sharks at a site in Bearsden in 1982. This site was marked with “The Bearsden Shark” lettering inserted in the railing on the path crossing the Manse Burn and an information board mounted on a cairn in 2015. In 2016 a website was published. Thereafter, resources were committed to increasing exposure of the Shark story within and beyond the local community.
Bearsden Library
The Bearsden Library gave space to display the plaster cast copy of the fossil donated to the Bearsden Shark Group by Dr Neil Clark, Curator of Palaeontology at the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow University. Before mounting in a protective, glass fronted frame, the plaster cast was painted by a specialist to make the fossil stand out from the bedrock in which it has been formed. In addition, the library includes both paper and video display material for visitors.
Bearsden Library, 69 Drymen Road, Bearsden G61 3QT.
[opening hours as per Library web site]
Bearsden Shark Booklet
The Bearsden Shark booklet which was published in 2021 explores the discovery and discoverer of the fossil, its importance to the world of palaeontology, the world as it existed 330 million years ago, and much more. The Foreword is by Dr Neil Clark.
The majority of the first print of 300 copies of the booklet was distributed, free of charge, to all local schools, libraries, care homes, community councils, as well as people and organisations which had provided support and consent to illustrate the material.
To aid publicity, 300 information leaflets were printed together with 1,000 bookmarks. Bookmarks were distributed free to all school class visits to the Bearsden Library and other children on their regular visit to the library. Along with the bookmark, the youngsters collected a pencil embossed with “The Bearsden Shark”. Library staff support for involving the children is appreciated.
Copies of the booklet are also made available to be sold at outlets associated with the Bearsden Shark, including: -
Mr Wood’s Fossils Shop, 5 Cowgatehead, Edinburgh EH1 1JY
Mugdock Country Park Visitor Centre, Craigallan Road, Nr Milngavie G62 8EL
Bearsden Library, 69 Drymen Road, Bearsden G61 3QT.
A reprint of 500 copies of the booklet was procured in 2022 in anticipation of demand during the 40th anniversary of Stan Wood’s discovery.
