Corstorphine Heights

Across the vale rise the pleasantly wooded heights of Corstorphine Hill, on whose southern slopes are established the gardens of Edinburgh Zoo, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

These Gardens constitute one of the most interesting features of the modern attractions of Edinburgh. The manner in which the animals and birds are seen, as nearly as possible under natural conditions, gives the Gardens a unique interest, and ranks them with the finest zoological collections of the Continent.

The higher slopes of Corstorphine Hill afford delightful viewpoints. A century and a half ago Corstorphine was a holiday resort for the people of Edinburgh and the village had a far famed sulphurous spring.

Balls and other amusements were organised during the holiday period and a popular outing was a visit to Corstorphine to sample its strawberries and cream.

An old right-of-way led along the side of the hill, past a conspicuous viewpoint known as "Rest-and-be-Thankful". As one proceeds along the winding and diversified route, the view across the Forth gives place to an extensive vista towards the Pentlands and the level country stretching away to the west.

Corstorphine village has in recent times been surrounded by numerous attractive residences, and the whole area has now been converted into something in the nature of a garden city.

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