Cluny Hill facts for kids
Cluny Hill is a lovely hill located on the east side of Forres, a town in Scotland. It's a well-known spot, especially for the historic tower at its top.
Nelson's Tower: A Tribute to a Hero
At the very top of Cluny Hill, you'll find Nelson's Tower. This tower was built way back in 1806. It was created to remember Admiral Lord Nelson, a famous British naval hero. He was celebrated for his big victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The good news is, you can visit the tower and explore it yourself!
Discovering an Ancient Hillfort
Cluny Hill isn't just about the tower; it also has a hidden history! In 1807, a historian named George Chalmers wrote about finding an old hillfort on the hill. He described it as a strong area with an earth wall and a wide ditch. This fort covered a large space, more than 6 acres!
Later, in 1938, the Ordnance Survey (a mapping agency) also noted the hill as a "British Camp." However, by 1963, it was hard to see any clear signs of the fort. But don't worry, in 2017, experts finally confirmed that the hillfort really did exist. It was quite big, covering about 3.6 hectares (which is about 9 acres).
Cluny Hill College: From Health Resort to Learning Center
Near Cluny Hill, there was once a special place called the Cluny Hill Hydropathic Establishment. It opened in 1864. A "hydropathic establishment" was like a health resort where people went for treatments using water. It was a popular idea in the 1800s.
This place was quite important because it was much larger than other similar resorts. It could host many visitors, and people came from all over Scotland and even further away. It was also one of the first health resorts to be set up as a big company.
During World War II, the building was used by troops. After the war, in 1947, it reopened as the Cluny Hill Hotel. But by 1975, it wasn't making enough money. So, it was sold for £60,000 to a group called the Findhorn Foundation. They changed its name to Cluny Hill College, and it became a place for learning and community.
