Indeed, Edinburgh was once dominated by rugged hills, volcanic crags and deep bodies of water. Tens of millions of years of intense volcanic activity followed by several thousand years of glacial erosion in the Lothians carved out a dramatic and picturesque landscape.
Some of Edinburgh most famous lost lochs include Canonmills Loch, the Burgh Loch, and the aforemntioned Nor’ Loch, where more than 300 men and women were sentenced to be tried for wizardry and witchcraft either in the loch itself or around its banks.
Others – such as Duddingston Loch and Lochend Loch – survive to this day, but they are now much smaller than they were.
Take a look through our photo gallery to find out more.
9. Little France Loch
Today the site of Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, there is scant visible evidence of the large body of water that once existed at Little France. However, alluvial deposits discovered on the banks of the Burdiehouse Burn suggest that there was a loch here in prehistoric times. Photo: Greg Macvean