It is difficult to realise that this view looking across a valley towards Blackford Hill and Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags is from within about four kilometres from Edinburgh’s city centre.
In the centre of the photo within the remains of the old Blackford quarry are some rocks which appear to be of little significance except to climbers.   However one of the large rocks was among the first geological sites to be conserved in Scotland.
In 1840 when the Swiss geologist Louis Agassiz saw the rock he recognised the effects of glaciation on the rocks.  Until then it had not been established that Britain had been covered by glaciers but Agassiz pointed out the horizontal scratch marks on the surface of the rock were caused by ice. Subsequently other geologists found further evidence that much of Britain elsewhere had been covered in thick ice.. Unfortunately many of the striations are no longer visible due to erosion and frost shattering but to geologists it remains important as the Agassiz Rock.  To many people walking by it looks much like other rocks in the area.  Instead they enjoy the walks through the wood along the nearby stream or up Blackford Hill with its views over Edinburgh and surrounds.