Corstorphine Hill

The day was so clear and sunny that we just had to get out and about.

The land here in the "low lands" running between Edinburgh and Glasgow are pretty flat. But there are the occasional "hills" or plateaus that stand up above the rolling grasslands. In fact, there used to be 7 "hills" counted in the Edinburgh area.



Corstorphine Hill is one of them and in our area, since we live in the Village of Corstorphine. It rises east from our little shopping street on St. John's. Before there was so much building the hill was easily recognized but now the hillside is covered with homes and it is only the top part that has been reserved as a park.

We loved the climb, gradual and beautiful. The flora was so colorful with its green tinged covering on rock, trees, and even throughout the ground and this is only February.

We can imagine how this park will be in spring and summer when the trees have leaves.


We climbed up to Climiston tower also know as Scott Tower for Sir Walter Scott. The internet guide book indicated we could climb to the top to get a spectacular 360 degree view but it was locked up tight.

We talked to a native (lived in the area for over 20 years) and he said it is always locked, with maybe a special day when it is unlocked but you couldn't go up into the tower anyway. We were disappointed but had enjoyed the hike. We also enjoyed hiking through some other ruins close by.

As we were heading back down the hill we noted the storm rolling in across the lowlands. The wind began to pick up and it felt pretty cold.

We were glad that we had brought our hat, gloves, scarf and coat even though the day had begun so beautifully. By the time we were almost to the car we got snow and sleet.
Shock!
I was delighted you could see the snowflakes in the picture because otherwise we wouldn't have believed it.
By the time we got home (about 5 mins drive) and into our flat the sun had come out again. That's Scotland's weather.