Exploring Edinburgh's Landscape

This course combines both classroom teaching and trips to the city centre and Holyrood Park to bring to life the geology of Edinburgh’s unique landscape which has been shaped by rocks created hundreds of millions of years ago.

We will explore the city centre and examine the rocks and landforms that, formed in a variety of ways - including volcanic eruptions and the slow accumulation of sediment - define the cityscape. We will also consider the way that this landscape has been used by people settling here over the past 10,000 years.

This course will feature field trips to locations in or around Edinburgh (your teacher will confirm the itinerary in class).

Any recommended reading will be advised by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course you should be able to:

• Understand the processes that have created Edinburgh’s rocks
• Recognise how these rocks have been shaped to create today’s landscape
• Appreciate the ways in which Edinburgh’s landscape features have been useful to people.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about the geology and landscape of Edinburgh. It assumes no prior knowledge and provides a basic introduction to geology, rocks and landscape.

We will be walking at a slow pace covering about 5 km in two short excursions, on pavements and footpaths with some steps.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s  Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

There are no specific entry requirements for this course. You do not need to have any prior knowledge about geology.

The course is suitable for those with no prior experience of university study. You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented orally and in writing. You must be comfortable studying in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the study materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.