East Cairn Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Cairn Hill |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 567 m (1,860 ft) |
| Prominence | 169 m (554 ft) |
| Listing | Ma |
| Geography | |
| Location | Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and West Lothian, Scotland |
| Parent range | Pentland Hills |
East Cairn Hill is a cool hill in the Pentland Hills range in Scotland. It stands tall at 567 m (1,860 ft). This makes it the highest hill in Edinburgh. It's located on the western side of a long chain of hills. This chain is about 20 mi (32 km) long.
East Cairn Hill has two main bumps, or "knolls." The highest one is on the east side. The other knoll is a bit lower, at 561 m (1,841 ft). It is about 800 m (2,600 ft) to the west.
The top of East Cairn Hill is a special spot. It's where the borders of three different areas meet. These areas are the Scottish Borders, West Lothian, and Edinburgh. East Cairn Hill also marks the southernmost point of the Edinburgh region. It is also the easternmost point of West Lothian.
The closest village is Carlops, about six kilometers to the southeast. West Calder is nine kilometers to the northwest. Penicuik is eleven kilometers to the east. The Cauldstane Slap pass runs between West and East Cairn Hill. Nearby hills include Wether Law to the southeast. West Cairn Hill is to the southwest.
Surroundings
Cauldstane Slap
The Cauldstane Slap is a pass located between East and West Cairn Hill. It used to be a very important route. This pass reaches a height of 441 m (1,447 ft). It connects the area of West Lothian with the Scottish Borders.
Ancient Cairn
There is an ancient stone mound, called a cairn, near the eastern top of East Cairn Hill. This cairn is about 16.7 m (55 ft) wide and two meters high. It was disturbed a long time ago. When it was opened again in the early 1900s, people found bone pieces. They also found flint axe tips inside.
Harperrig Reservoir
On the western side of the hill is the Harperrig Reservoir. This reservoir was built in 1860. It holds back the water from the Water of Leith river. The reservoir helps supply Edinburgh with drinking water. It also helps control the flow of the Water of Leith.
