Arthur's Seat & Holyrood Park
Iconic hill in a mini-Highland setting; walks (30min–2hr)
As a volcano it may have been extinct for 350 million years, but these days Arthur's Seat, a rugged 250-meter (820-ft) hill, hums more or less round-the-clock with outdoor activities.
There are all the usual dog-walkers, swan-feeders, joggers and cyclists lapping its circular road (closed to motorists on Sundays for the purpose), but there's also a steady stream of exploring visitors too.

They're here because Arthur’s Seat not only provides wonderful city views, but also because the surrounding Holyrood Park offers a toy-sized chunk of rural Scotland to enjoy. One that's complete with heathery hills, grassy knolls, crags, cliffs, lochs and ruins. Scotland’s oldest pub is even here to complete the experience.
Salisbury Crags
Text © Christian Williams
Images by cat_collector, Daniel Stockman, Magnus Hagdorn, Moyan Brenn, Roberto Taddeo, Toni Rodrigo