Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park

Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the hills that make up Holyrood Park, a royal park on the eastern edge of central Edinburgh, about a mile east of the castle. The hill is the remains of an extinct volcano from the early Carboniferous period, and its lava has been dated to around 340 million years old. Glaciers later scraped the land from west to east, leaving rugged crags on the western side and a gentler tail of material to the east. The summit stands about 251 metres above sea level and gives a view over the whole city and out to the Firth of Forth.

The park itself is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is free to enter. Beyond the summit there is plenty to explore: the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel, Dunsapie and Duddingston lochs, the grassy valley of Hunter's Bog and the long line of Salisbury Crags, which faces the Old Town. Note that the Radical Road path beneath the crags has been closed since a rockfall in 2018, and climbing on the crags is no longer permitted.

The hill can be climbed from almost any direction. The easiest ascent starts from the east, up the grassy slope above Dunsapie Loch; routes from the western, Holyrood side climb past the crags. Allow around one and a half to two hours for a return walk from the foot of the Royal Mile, longer if you add a loop past the lochs. Paths can be rough, muddy and slippery after rain, and the summit is exposed to wind, so wear proper footwear and take a layer even in summer. Avoid the summit in poor visibility.

Historic Environment Scotland offers a free audio guide through the Geotourist app. The High Road through the park is closed to motor traffic, which makes it pleasant for walkers and cyclists. There are no facilities on the summit itself, so bring water.

Arthur's Seat suits active travellers, photographers and anyone wanting a break from the streets. Early morning and the hour before sunset are the quietest and most atmospheric times. Afterwards, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament are at the park's western edge, and the village of Duddingston, on the southern side, makes a pleasant end point for a longer walk.