Agassiz Rock
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Quaternary of Scotland | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2024-08-14 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Quaternary
Landscape processes: Glacial, Volcanic / Igneous
Description
AGASSIZ ROCK Agassiz Rock Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located beside the disused Blackford Hill quarry within Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, on the south side of Edinburgh. This nationally important scientific and historical Quaternary site is one of the classic localities associated with the early development of the glacial theory in Scotland. The striated rock surface was among the first features to be recognised as the product of glacier ice by Louis Agassiz in 1840. Agassiz rock is a volcanic rock, the surface of which forms an overhang that is smooth and contains grooves known as striations. The grooves and smooth surfaces have formed as a consequence of ice rubbing against the rock surface. The orientation of the grooves can be used to determine the direction of ice movement. Agassiz Rock also represents an important landmark in geological conservation, being one of the first sites recognised to require safeguarding.