I thought I might tack onto this thread. I went up to Moughton Scar last year. Before doing so I enquired with the Yorkshire Dales authority about Moughton Whetstone samples from the site. Here was their response.



Moughton Scar has an number of designations which put it as one of the most protected landscapes in the country and is International important. Moughton Scar & the surrounding area designations include:- a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSi), part of the Ingleborough Complex National Nature Reserve and has a limestone preservation order in place. Natural England’s interactive map shows these designations which can be found here:-

https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx


I’m afraid to say that you won’t be able to take a sample of the whetstone due to designations listed above. Here is an extract from the Limestone Pavement order, I know the whetstone is a siltstone but it is still included in the Limestone preservation area.

‘These habitats are threatened due to their removal for use in gardens and water features. Many limestone pavements have been designated as SSSIs which affords them some protection. In addition, Section 34 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gave them additional protection via the creation of Limestone Pavement Orders, which made it a criminal offence to remove any part of the outcrop.’

Link to the government website can be found here website https://data.gov.uk/dataset/ff9f1088...ment-orders):-



Any works or removal of material from a SSSi require consent from Natural England. If you require more information please contact Natural England:-



Natural England Enquiries

County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

WR5 2NP

Email enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk.

Telephone 0300 060 3900.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecte...tific-interest


That pretty much means the following:

No-one should be collecting samples from Moughton Scar.
Any recent rocks sold on ebay, or the like, were likely collected illegally.

If you want to get your hands on a Moughton Whetstone you should look for a boxed vintage one.