What to do · Edinburgh
Climbing Arthur's Seat, the volcano inside the city
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- All year; in strong wind, ice or fog, better another day
- Who it's for
- From 7 or 8 years old walking; the last stretch is rock and slippery in the rain
- With a dog
- On a lead in the signposted bird-breeding areas, especially from April to July; pick up after them
A 251-metre hill in the middle of Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat is the highest point of Holyrood Park, a royal park of hills, crags and lochs that begins where the Royal Mile ends. It is what remains of a volcano that went extinct some 340 million years ago, later worn down by glaciers. It stands 251 metres high: not much on a map, quite a lot when you start almost at city level. At the top there are remains of an Iron Age hill fort and the view takes in everything: the castle, the Old Town, the port of Leith, the Firth of Forth and the Fife coast.
The park is managed by Historic Environment Scotland. It is always open and free.
Which way up
- From the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The most direct climb starts from the Broad Pavement car park, next to the palace, and goes up the valley between the Salisbury Crags cliffs and the summit. It is the busiest. Allow an hour going up at an easy pace and a little less coming down.
- From Dunsapie Loch, the gentlest. On the east side, a grassy slope rises from the small Dunsapie Loch. This is the one to take with children: less climbing and less rock.
- Past St Anthony's Chapel. A path climbs from St Margaret's Loch to the ruins of this medieval chapel and continues towards the summit. It's worth it even if you don't make it to the top.
In all three cases, the last stretch is rock polished smooth by footsteps. In the rain it is very slippery. Wear shoes with grippy soles; HES specifically asks for this.
The park's ring road, the High Road, is closed to cars but open to walkers: it goes around the hill without climbing to the summit. The northern stretch of the Radical Road, the path at the foot of Salisbury Crags, remains closed due to the risk of rockfalls. Respect the fences.
Getting there and parking
On foot from the Royal Mile, you walk down the Canongate to Holyrood in a quarter of an hour. If you go by car: there is parking at Broad Pavement (£1 an hour Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:30), Meadowbank and Duddingston. The Dunsapie Loch car park only opens to cars Tuesday to Thursday, from 9:30 to 15:00. On Saturdays and Sundays the park roads are closed to cars during the day. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Tips
- Go at sunrise or late in the day At midday in summer, the summit gets crowded. Early on there's low light over the castle and hardly anyone at the top.
- Check the wind before setting off There's no shelter at the summit. With strong gusts, only go up as far as St Anthony's Chapel.
- Download the audio guide HES has a free audio guide to the park in the Geotourist app.
- Water and an extra layer There are no fountains or cafés along the way. At the top it's a lot colder than on the Royal Mile.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Arthur's Seat?
About 45 minutes to an hour from Holyroodhouse at an easy pace. There and back with time at the summit, about two hours.
Is it difficult?
It's a short but steep climb. The last stretch is loose, polished rock; in rain or ice you need to take care.
Can children climb it?
Yes, walking from about 7 or 8 years old, best by the Dunsapie Loch slope. It's doable with a baby carrier; with a pushchair, don't go beyond the High Road.
Can you bring a dog?
Yes. HES asks for dogs on leads in the signposted bird-breeding areas, especially from April to July, and that you pick up after them.
Does it cost anything?
No. Holyrood Park is public and always open.
As a familyWith teenagersWith a dogWith friends
