unidentified grassland insect

[shreds]

Hi,

Hopefully someone can help. We found a 6 legged (i think...it ran off my hand , fast, and into the grass before i could get a clear view ; ( ) black insect. It was jet black and glossy with multiple large body segments . Legs were held underneath body unlike centipede but like earwiig it had pincers at its rear. It was about an inch or so long and habitat was meadow grassland on the edge of pine/mixed wood in Scotland.

ANy suggestions? I have trawled through pics in insect book and quick internet search and cant find anything that looks like it. Looked like the love child of an earwig and a millepede tho
Thanks

[aeshna5]

Take a look in the Gallery for images of Devil's Coach-horse, a species of rove beetle that might just fit your description.

[shreds]

Thanks. May well have been that but seems v.likely a species of rove beetle if not. Much appreciated!