Craiglockhart Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craiglockhart Hill |
|
|---|---|
A small crowd on Wester Craiglockhart Hill gathers to watch the demolition of the tower blocks at Oxgangs
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Geography | |
 Craiglockhart Hill
Location in Scotland
|
|
| OS grid | NT227701 |
Craiglockhart Hill is a special place in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's actually made up of two hills joined together. These are called Easter Craiglockhart and Wester Craiglockhart. Both hills are found in the Craiglockhart area of the city.
Contents
Exploring Craiglockhart Hill
Craiglockhart Hill offers great views and a chance to explore nature. It's a popular spot for walks and enjoying the outdoors. The hills are important for both their natural beauty and their interesting geology.
The Two Summits: Easter and Wester Craiglockhart
Craiglockhart Hill has two main peaks. Each one has its own unique features.
Easter Craiglockhart Hill
The top of Easter Craiglockhart Hill is 158 meters (about 518 feet) high. In 2004, this hill was given a special title. It became a local nature reserve. This means it's a protected area. It's a place where plants and animals can thrive. People can visit and learn about nature there.
Wester Craiglockhart Hill
Wester Craiglockhart Hill is a bit taller than its neighbor. Its summit reaches 175 meters (about 574 feet) high. Both hills offer different views of Edinburgh. They are great places to spot local wildlife.
How the Hills Were Formed
The Craiglockhart Hills have a fascinating past. They were created by powerful natural forces long ago.
Volcanic Origins
These hills are made from ancient lava and volcanic ash. This material came from volcanoes that erupted during the Carboniferous period. That was about 300 million years ago! The lava flowed out and then cooled down. The ash settled and hardened over time. All of this sits on top of older sandstone.
Amazing Rock Columns
On Wester Craiglockhart Hill, you can see something very cool. There's an exposed area of lava that's about 30 meters (100 feet) thick. In this area, the lava formed amazing columns. When the hot lava cooled, it cracked in a special way. These cracks created a pattern of hexagonal (six-sided) columns. This is called columnar jointing. It looks like giant stone pillars!
The Glenlockhart Valley
Between the two hills, Easter and Wester Craiglockhart, lies a valley. This valley is known as Glenlockhart.
Shaped by Ice
Glenlockhart valley got its shape a very long time ago. Over 17,000 years ago, a huge sheet of ice covered this whole area. As the ice melted, it created a lot of water. This meltwater came from the Water of Leith, a nearby river. The ice blocked the river, making the water build up. This powerful water then carved out the valley you see today. It's a reminder of the Ice Age!
