Palaeontology breakthrough reveals how T-rex relative once dominated Britain

The site, located on the Trotternish peninsula, has become one of the most extensive dinosaur track locations in Scotland.

The research reveals the ancient creatures gathered around shallow freshwater lagoons at the same time.

As many as 131 of the prehistoric prints were uncovered by researchers from the University of Edinburgh

PA/UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

The prints reveal that massive meat-eating megalosaurs and enormous plant-eating sauropods once roamed the Scottish island

PA/UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

Some prints had previously been mistaken for underwater fish burrows (file photo)

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"It boggles my mind to think that when Bonnie Prince Charlie was being pursued by English troops, he might have been following the footprints of dinosaurs to safety on Skye," said Steve Brusatte, a professor of palaeontology and evolution at Edinburgh.

"It's astounding to think that when Bonnie Prince Charlie was running for his life, he might have been sprinting in the footsteps of dinosaurs."

The area is named after the Jacobite leader who sought refuge there in 1746 after the Battle of Culloden.

The footprints were created as dinosaurs walked through the shallow lagoon and became preserved in the vast, rippled sandstone platform that stretches out to sea today.

"It looks like someone has pressed the pause button," said Blakesley. "It's a surreal feeling to see these footprints with my own eyes."

On a recent visit, researchers found what appeared to be a theropod footprint inside a sauropod trackway.

"There are definitely more footprints to be found," Blakesley noted.