Arthur's Seat
Does any other city on earth have a dormant volcano at its centre? The views from the summit are fabulous. The whole of the city lies below you and you can see as far as the Scottish Borders and across to the mountains of Ben Lomond, the Forth bridges and Fife.
A 15min walk to the park, Arthur's Seat allows you to escape to the country, but still be in the city. There are many beautiful walks here and you can reach the summit in about an hour from Rossie Place.
Directions: Head up Easter Road (towards Royal Mile). Past 2 sets of traffic lights then down Abbeymount at Regent Buffet pub. Stay on left. Halfway down hill (before bridge) go downstairs on left and under tunnel to cobblestone road. Take left road at park entrance through trees. Head for ruin on hilltop (St Anthony's Chapel). Go to right of ruin and head uphill towards a large boulder. Follow this path. It curves away to the left, but stay on it. Once you see the chains, follow steps to the top.
You can also drive most of the way by going past Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building, then left towards St Margaret's Loch. Turn right just after loch. A scenic circular drive, stop at Dunsapie Loch and it's a 10min walk to the summit. The road takes you back to the Parliament.
Your reward for summiting (or not) can be a visit to the oldest pub in Edinburgh, some say Scotland. Established in 1314, The Sheep Heid Inn is an ancient drinking hole located in Duddingston Village, beside Duddingston Loch. Even HRH Queen Elizabeth visited in July 2016 for a quick pint and a bag of crisps.
Directions: To get to it, descend to Dunsapie Loch (closest loch to summit). At car park, head down grass path towards wall. There are stairs here going to Duddingston Loch. At foot, go left up narrow lane and have a pint (or two) and some food.
Alternatively visit Dr Neil’s Garden situated beside Duddingston Loch. Small but delightful. Coffee n' cakes when cafe is open. Free entry. Entrance at double gates to Duddingston Manse on Old Church Lane. N.B. These are NOT the gates into Duddingston Kirk (churchyard).
The way back: it's about 2.5 miles to the flat from Duddingston Loch. Walk past loch – views of golf course. Turn right at roundabout, left at next. Continue to Holyrood Palace. Into city – left at roundabout, right at traffic lights. Then heading for Royal Mile. Or if you've had a few... jump in a cab! 0131 229 2468 (Central taxis) 0131 228 1211 (City cabs) 0131 272 8000 (ComCab)
Does any other city on earth have a dormant volcano at its centre? The views from the summit are fabulous. The whole of the city lies below you and you can see as far as the Scottish Borders and across to the mountains of Ben Lomond, the Forth bridges and Fife.
A 15min walk to the park, Arthur's Seat allows you to escape to the country, but still be in the city. There are many beautiful walks here and you can reach the summit in about an hour from Rossie Place.
Directions: Head up Easter Road (towards Royal Mile). Past 2 sets of traffic lights then down Abbeymount at Regent Buffet pub. Stay on left. Halfway down hill (before bridge) go downstairs on left and under tunnel to cobblestone road. Take left road at park entrance through trees. Head for ruin on hilltop (St Anthony's Chapel). Go to right of ruin and head uphill towards a large boulder. Follow this path. It curves away to the left, but stay on it. Once you see the chains, follow steps to the top.
You can also drive most of the way by going past Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building, then left towards St Margaret's Loch. Turn right just after loch. A scenic circular drive, stop at Dunsapie Loch and it's a 10min walk to the summit. The road takes you back to the Parliament.
Your reward for summiting (or not) can be a visit to the oldest pub in Edinburgh, some say Scotland. Established in 1314, The Sheep Heid Inn is an ancient drinking hole located in Duddingston Village, beside Duddingston Loch. Even HRH Queen Elizabeth visited in July 2016 for a quick pint and a bag of crisps.
Directions: To get to it, descend to Dunsapie Loch (closest loch to summit). At car park, head down grass path towards wall. There are stairs here going to Duddingston Loch. At foot, go left up narrow lane and have a pint (or two) and some food.
Alternatively visit Dr Neil’s Garden situated beside Duddingston Loch. Small but delightful. Coffee n' cakes when cafe is open. Free entry. Entrance at double gates to Duddingston Manse on Old Church Lane. N.B. These are NOT the gates into Duddingston Kirk (churchyard).
The way back: it's about 2.5 miles to the flat from Duddingston Loch. Walk past loch – views of golf course. Turn right at roundabout, left at next. Continue to Holyrood Palace. Into city – left at roundabout, right at traffic lights. Then heading for Royal Mile. Or if you've had a few... jump in a cab! 0131 229 2468 (Central taxis) 0131 228 1211 (City cabs) 0131 272 8000 (ComCab)