Edinburgh mountainous terrain subject on new children’s learning film

Edinburgh’s geological past has been broken down and vividly simplified for a children by a new video project.

The film Rock Opera is about the discoveries of renowned Edinburgh geologist James Hutton seen

through the eyes of a young girl, Sarah. On this journey through time she encounters singing

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rocks, a talking crow, and witnesses a struggle between the ‘Plutonians’ and the ‘Neptunians’ to

establish the origins of the Earth.

Created by Edinburgh charity Hoda, Rock Opera is composed of a short animated film, an online

game and a free mobile phone application aimed at families, schools and other activity providers.

There is also a teacher resource pack developed in partnership with the Science Centre, and

visitor attraction Our Dynamic Earth.

The project was officially launched today (April 4) during Edinburgh International Science Festival as

part of the event In the Footsteps of Giants.

James Hutton had a maverick reputation and Hoda aims to capture this spirit in Rock Opera. Two

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hundred years ago, it was generally believed that the Earth was created in the year 4004 BC, a

date based on calculations from the Bible. Despite being a religious man, Hutton’s research led

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him to believe that the Earth was actually millions of years old.

But that’s not the only drama that unfolds here; the film also features a villainous Earl, who, in the

early 19th century quarried Salisbury Crags extensively to sell as paving stones. They were

eventually saved after public protest.

In the online game Quarrymen Rumble the player is Haggis the dog, on a mission to stop the

quarrymen from destroying the Crags, while the mobile phone app Rock Operator allows children

to lead on expeditions to Arthur’s Seat.

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