Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park

About this place

Ancient volcano in the heart of Edinburgh, with walking routes to the summit and views over the whole city.

Rising directly behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat is the main peak of an extinct volcano that last erupted around 350 million years ago, and it remains one of Edinburgh's most popular free outings despite sitting right within the city. Several routes lead to the 251-metre summit, ranging from a fairly gentle path to steeper, more direct scrambles, with the reward at the top being a genuinely spectacular panorama over the whole of Edinburgh and out to the Firth of Forth. St Anthony's Chapel ruins and Dunsapie Loch, home to swans, offer easier stops for families not attempting the full summit. It's free to visit, with parking limited near the park, and the summit paths are not suitable for buggies.

Make a day of it — within 5km