Blackford Hill

Blackford Hill 164 metres (538 ft) is a hill in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It is in the area of Blackford, between Morningside, and the Braid Hills. Together with the Hermitage of Braid, it comprises the 60.3 hectares (149 acres) Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, within which lies Hermitage House.

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Hermitage of Braid

The Hermitage of Braid is an area between the Braid Hills and Blackford Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Braid Burn runs through it and it has large sections of forest and paths for walking. It comprises part of the 60.3-hectare (149-acre) Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, as well as the former Braid estate and country house. Within the public nature reserve and forest, there is also a small community garden, which has medicinal plants, culinary plants and other wildflowers (it is set on the site of the former garden of Braid House). The garden (restored in 2014) is organised by a community group, the 'Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill'.

Braid Hills

The Braid Hills form an area towards the south-western edge of Edinburgh, Scotland. The hills themselves are largely open space. Housing in the area is mostly confined to detached villas, and some large terraced houses. The Braid Hills Hotel sits above Pentland Terrace and Comiston Road, overlooking the park across the road. The area is well known for its golf course and its views of the city, and is a popular destination for families taking children sledging in the winter. There is also a riding stables and school, eastwards towards Liberton, which arranges pony trekking. Nearby areas are Morningside to the north, Comiston to the west, and Liberton to the east. The core of the name is shared with the Braid Burn and the nearby Hermitage of Braid woodland park.

Blackford Pond

Blackford Pond is a small, artificial pond in the Blackford area of Edinburgh, Scotland. The pond was created during the Victorian era in a glacial hollow in the Blackford region of Edinburgh. According to Ordnance Survey maps, it was created between 1800 and 1900 in an ice-scoured hollow.

Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (ROE) is an astronomical institution located on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. The site is owned by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The ROE comprises the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) of STFC, the Institute for Astronomy of the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, and the ROE Visitor Centre. The observatory carries out astronomical research and university teaching; design, project management, and construction of instruments and telescopes for astronomical observatories; and teacher training in astronomy and outreach to the public. The ROE Library includes the Crawford Collection of books and manuscripts gifted in 1888 by the 26th Earl of Crawford. Before it moved to the present site in 1896, the Royal Observatory was located on Calton Hill, close to the centre of Edinburgh, at what is now known as the City Observatory.