An "unparalleled" collection of Scottish fossils has been secured for the nation with a £260,000 deal by National Museums Scotland (NMS).
The 360-million-year-old fossils, showing the remains of backboned animals that moved from water to land, were discovered by field palaeontologist Stan Wood.
The fossils have been bought from the estate of Mr Wood thanks largely to a £161,700 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has gone towards the total cost of £260,000.
A spokesman for NMS said: "The collection of almost 250 specimens contains fossilised remains of creatures that mark the period between 360 million to 340 million years ago when backboned animals first moved from water to land.
"Although this is one of the crucial chapters of evolution, the fossil record for the period was previously almost non-existent."
The fossils come from one area near the mouth of the Tweed in the Borders. Nick Fraser, NMS keeper of Natural Sciences, said: "NMS has the best collections of palaeozoic vertebrate fossils anywhere in the world, and this acquisition enhances that claim.
"The scientific significance of the finds cannot be overestimated, and Stan Wood has left an amazing legacy that represents his lifelong quest to better understand this crossroads in the evolution of terrestrial life."
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