Arthur's Seat

If you’re on a time crunch, check the map before you go. The shortest trail (left-most) takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit. The other trails, especially the ones that go along the Salisbury Crags, take much longer. Definitely worth it. If you’re looking for a great view of the city, make sure to go to nearby Calton Hill.

I lived in Edinburgh for almost 2 years and never climbed Arthur’s Seat. Finally the day before I left, I decided I had to climb it and went with a friend. We made a day of it, with portable speakers, a picnic, and a bottle of champagne to crack open at the top. It was January so of course it was deadly windy and raining but the view at the top is completely worth it.

Be careful that you take a safe way down though! My friend and I nearly stranded ourselves on the rocky, cliffy bit that was almost to steep to navigate.

My sister and I, on our first day in Edinburgh, were walking around the city, trying to make our way to Carton Hill. Somehow we ended up on the wrong side of the city and decided to climb Arthur’s Seat since we were there anyway. It was a hard, hot climb and we weren’t prepared for it AT ALL but the view was worth it and the experience was unforgettable. Beautiful.

Climbing an extinct volcano in the middle of a city? Go for it!

My friends and I climbed Arthur’s Seat and it ended up being one of my prouder moments when I made it to the top.. Not to mention, it’s a beautiful view of Edinburgh.

I didn’t quite make it to the top…it was very windy and cold. I was almost blown over. I’d already done quite a bit of hiking on my trip (in Wales and Yorkshire, England) so I decided to go down and warm up. Maybe next time…

you really do forget you’re in the middle of a city.

Climbing this wonderful mountain with a walking boot was challenging but incredibly rewarding. Go up to the top, lie down, fall asleep, and wake up looking at the blue Scotland sky and smelling the fresh air and oh… to be back there again.

I climbed up to the top of Arthur’s seat on Thursday afternoon, it’s an extinct volcano, 250m above sea level, Edinburgh city has grown to circle it.

It’s set in the middle of Holyrood Park, people were about, but it wasn’t too busy, I had the top of the seat to myself.

At the top you’ll find two small obelisks. I pulled myself up onto one and just sat there for half an hour. Facing west, I looked back at the city, taking in the view, feeling the wind on my face and watching the murder of crows hover in the breeze below me.

Over the years, people’s feet and hands have polished up the jagged edges of the stone to a smooth surface, as I sat there I watched the evening sun break free from the clouds, the beams of light reflected off the floor and turned it silver.

One of the highlights of my week, I was sad to leave.

This is one I may actually get ticked off!