Visit Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh | Tour Details & Highlights

About Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat stands as the highest peak in the city. It is one of three volcanic hills in Edinburgh, the other being Calton Hill and Castle Rock. This extinct volcano is situated within Holyrood Park, a short walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 

This volcanic hill is appreciated for its wildlife, scenic hiking routes and dreamy views. Standing 251m above sea level, this hill offers 360° vistas of some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks. This includes views of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, The Scottish Parliament Building and, on a clear day, as far as the Scottish Highlands.

Geology

Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano that formed around 350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. Its dramatic landscape is the result of ancient volcanic activity and millions of years of geological processes. Here’s how it came to be:

Arthur’s Seat was created by a volcanic eruption approximately 350 million years ago when Edinburgh was located near the equator. Lava flowed from the volcano, creating the hard basalt rock that forms much of the hill’s rugged features.

During the Ice Age, glaciers moving across the region shaped the landscape. These massive ice sheets eroded the softer surrounding rock, leaving behind the steep cliffs of Salisbury Crags and the prominent volcanic plug of Arthur’s Seat.

The hill’s resilient basalt resisted erosion better than the surrounding sedimentary rocks, giving Arthur’s Seat its iconic prominence.

History

Throughout history, Arthur’s Seat has been a site of human activity, with archaeological findings indicating human presence dating as far back as around 5,000 BC. 

Agricultural terraces on the eastern slopes of Arthur’s Seat indicate signs of Bronze Age farming. Four Bronze Age forts can also be found in the area.

Throughout history, Arthur’s Seat has been a hub of human activity, with its fertile land and strategic location attracting settlers for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests human presence dating as far back as around 5,000 BC. During the Mesolithic period, early hunter-gatherers likely used the area for foraging and temporary shelter.

By the Bronze Age, Arthur’s Seat had become a site of more permanent settlement and agricultural activity. On its eastern slopes, there are remnants of ancient farming terraces, suggesting early agricultural practices.

In addition to agricultural evidence, four Bronze Age forts can be found in the area. These hillforts, constructed with earthworks and stone, were likely used for defensive purposes, offering a vantage point to monitor the surrounding landscape.

Over the centuries, these early settlements faded, but their traces remain embedded in the landscape, offering a glimpse into the area’s past.

Why Is It Called Arthur’s Seat?

The name Arthur’s Seat is steeped in mystery. Some believe it references King Arthur, possibly imagining the hill as the site of the legendary Camelot. 

Others suggest the name evolved from Gaelic terms like “Àrd-na-Said” (roughly translated to “Height of Arrows”) or “Archer’s Seat,” as the hill could have served as a strategic lookout for archers during medieval times.

Mysteries, Myths & Legends

Besides the mystery behind its name, Arthur’s Seat has many legends connected to it. 

• The sleeping dragon: One Celtic legend says that a dragon once raided the area, eating farmers’ livestock. One day, it got tired and rested on the hilltop. It never woke again and instead formed into the rock at the summit.
• Dewy youth: On May Day, women are said to have climbed the hill to wash their faces in the dew of the hillside. Legend has it that this tradition kept local women looking beautiful and youthful.
• Mysterious tiny coffins: In 1836, a group of boys discovered a small cave with 17 miniature coffins hidden in it. Each coffin contained a clothed wooden figurine. Several theories came about regarding the origins of these tiny coffins. Only eight of the coffins survived and are now on display at the National Museum of Scotland.

Visiting Details

Arthur’s Seat is free to visit year-round. The best time to climb Arthur’s Seat is during spring and autumn when the weather is mild and the park’s natural beauty is at its peak. Early mornings and late afternoons offer stunning sunrise and sunset views over the city.

There is a car park at the bottom. However, Bright Bus Tours offers convenient hop-on, hop-off services that include stops near Holyrood Park, providing easy access to Arthur’s Seat. While the hike itself is self-guided, informational plaques along the trails offer further insights into the area’s geology and history.

Hiking Trails

The most common starting point for the ascent to the top is from the east side of Holyrood Park, near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

There are two main open routes to Arthur’s Seat. The best route will depend on the attractions you’re interested in seeing along the way.

• Blue Route: This trail is 2.5 km long and takes you past St Margaret’s Loch, St Anthony’s Chapel and the Hunter’s Bog to the top of the ancient volcano.
• Black Circuit: This 3 km route takes you past sites like the small cave where the 17 coffins were found and an Iron Age hill fort.

Highlights To Look Out For

Here are some highlights to look forward to on your way to the highest point in Edinburgh.

Facilities and Accessibility

Limited parking is available near the Palace of Holyroodhouse and along Queen’s Drive. However, during peak times, spaces can fill up quickly, so public transport or walking is recommended.

Public restrooms are available at the Holyrood Park Education Centre, located near the park’s entrance.

The paths leading to Arthur’s Seat are natural and can be steep and uneven, making wheelchair access challenging. However, the lower areas of Holyrood Park, including the area around St. Margaret’s Loch, offer more accessible paths suitable for all visitors.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and bring water. Stay on marked paths to ensure both your safety and the preservation of the natural environment.