Ravelston Woods
The local nature reserve offers a wooded walk through sandstone layers once quarried for use in buildings across Edinburgh, including the Palace of Holyrood House and George Herriot’s School. Several rocky outcrops show ‘cross bedding’, ancient marks from a river delta system that dominated much of this area during the Early Carboniferous about 340 million years ago. Though sandy in nature, these rocks weather with a black tarnish giving distinctive-looking building stones. As you make your way through the reserve, look out for woodpeckers and the occasional tawny owl as you enjoy this peaceful walk through the suburbs.
The location will appear in the centre of the map.
(You can also zoom-out or scroll to find other geodiversity sites nearby.)
