Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Parkside Plum Juice
Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Muxima
The temple and the tree at the square.
The Historical Center of Pune
Dishes at Aksorn are grounded in deep historical research.
Aksorn
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Parkside Plum Juice
Dishes at Aksorn are grounded in deep historical research.
Aksorn
Thailand’s hot, humid climate meant that customers wanted an alternative to hot tea.
ChaTraMue
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
You could probably take some of that stuff out.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Pack Light for a Long Trip?
about 22 hours ago
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
2 days ago
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Eagle Rock
AO Edited

Eagle Rock

A remnant of the Roman army's presence on the coast of Scotland.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
John Muir Trail.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
View of Eagle Rock from Cramond.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Dalmeny Estate Map .   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
John Muir Trail to Beach.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
River Almond.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
View of Cramond Island.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Eagle Rock   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the beach near Cramond lies a massive rock with an unusual and unique moniker. Professionals have indicated that this aged carving showcases the presence of the Roman army in the region sometime between 140 CE and 200 CE.

To help visitors decipher the cryptic image etched into the stone, one might have to imagine what was often depicted on the shields of the Roman military. Just above where the information placard is positioned, visitors can make out the representation of the body of an animal. Then, on either side are what appear to be spread-out wings. This is a stone illustration of an eagle, a symbol often associated with the Roman army.

Historic Scotland's plaque reads: "The worn carving above has been supposed to be an eagle carved by the Roman garrison of Cramond. Whether it is an eagle or whether it is Roman is uncertain."

The discovery of The Cramond Lioness along the banks of the River Almond in 1997, adds historical credence that the Romans did extend this far north into the United Kingdom.

Related Tags

Roman History & Culture Artifacts Military History

Know Before You Go

One has to be willing to walk or cycle, as there is no accessible route by car to get to the rock itself. It's a 40-minute walk along the River Almond starting from the village of Cramond. 

Alternatively, one can park at Miller & Carter Brig Restaurant and then travel 30 minutes to the beach along the John Muir Trail.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Published

July 19, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Eagle Rock
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH4 6NU
United Kingdom
55.98293, -3.308706
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Cramond Ghost Island

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dalmeny Estate Topiaries

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Lauriston Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Cramond Ghost Island

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dalmeny Estate Topiaries

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Lauriston Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Savannah, Georgia

    WEBB Military Museum

    At this privately owned collection, conflicts are humanized through soldiers’ personal belongings.

    Sponsored by Visit Savannah
  • Malton, England

    Jet Bear

    This small figurine of a bear tells us a lot about the value of jewels and funerary practices in Roman Britannia.

  • Frontal view of the head of the goddess

    Bath, England

    Head of Sulis Minerva

    The accidental discovery of this gilt bronze head led archaeologists to find the Roman Baths in the city of Bath

  • Glykon statue

    Constanța, Romania

    Glykon

    An ancient Roman snake god, carved expertly into stone.

  • NoviPark Roman Amphorae

    Modena, Italy

    NoviPark Roman Amphorae

    Hundreds of Roman amphorae are stored in an ususpecting underground parking lot.

  • A section of the Roman baths below the carpark.

    Como, Italy

    Roman Baths of Como

    This 1st-century CE Roman bath sits under a carpark.

  • Castellum from above.

    Utrecht, Netherlands

    Castellum Hoge Woerd

    This recreated Roman outpost stands above its buried predecessor.

  • Sherborne St John, England

    The Vyne

    Alongside its 16th- and 17th-century architecture and interiors, this mansion houses an Ancient Roman ring that some believe may have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.