Visit Calton Hill in Edinburgh — Tour Details & Highlights
Admire some of the city’s most important monuments at
Calton Hill — Edinburgh’s version of the Athenian Acropolis.
About Calton Hill
Calton Hill is situated in the city centre, at the eastern end of Edinburgh’s new town and popular Princes Street. It is one of three volcanic hills in the city — the other being Castle Rock and Arthur’s Seat. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hill is home to one of the oldest public parks in Britain and boasts some of Edinburgh’s most significant monuments.
With its classical revival architecture, Edinburgh earned the name the “Athens of the North.” Calton Hill, home to attractions like the National Monument, was considered to be the city’s version of the Acropolis.
In addition to its famous monuments, Calton Hill offers panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline, perfect for sunrise or sunset missions. Visitors can get a different perspective of landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town and Arthur’s Seat.
Summer is an especially wonderful time to visit. The hill becomes host to various festivals, including the Beltane Fire Festival, which celebrates the start of summer.
Visiting Details
Entry to Calton Hill is free to all. The hill can easily be accessed via foot or bicycle. A staircase starting on the south side at Regent Roads takes you to the top of Calton Hill in about five minutes. You can also use the footpath at Royal Terrace next to the Greenside Parish Church.
Vehicles can access the hill via a gated access road along Regent Road. However, there is no parking at the top of the hill, except for Blue Badge holders. Visitors may be dropped off at the top instead.
Highlights of Calton Hill
Here are some of the highlights to look forward to on your visit to Calton Hill.
The National Monument of Scotland
Designed as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, the National Monument on Calton Hill stands as a commemoration of the Scottish soldiers who lost their lives in the Napoleonic Wars. It was designed by prominent architects William Henry Playfair and Charles Robert Cockerell.
Sadly, only the 12 columns of the facade were completed before the project was left unfinished due to limited funds. This earned the otherwise impressive monument the nickname “Edinburgh’s shame.”
The City Observatory
The Gothic-style City Observatory was built in 1818. This site was to replace Thomas Short’s observatory – now known as the Old Observatory House.
The new observatory was home to the Edinburgh Astronomical Institution and later the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh before the building was left in disrepair. Next to the City Observatory stands a monument to John Playfair, influential physicist, mathematician, professor of natural philosophy and first president of the Edinburgh Astronomical Institution.
In an effort to preserve the historical site, the Collective Gallery moved in to revive the space. Today, the Collective hosts beautiful exhibitions, workshops and events for the public.
Nelson Monument
The Nelson Monument was built to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar. The first foundation stone was laid in 1807, and the building was completed in 1816. It was designed by Robert Burn, who modelled the structure after an upturned telescope.
A Time Ball was installed at the top of the tower in 1853. This mechanism would drop at exactly 1 pm, allowing ships to correctly set their chronometers before setting off on their voyage. This Time Ball was later connected and synchronised to the one o’clock gun in Edinburgh Castle.
Dugald Stewart Monument
The beautiful Dugald Stewart Monument is one of the most famous monuments on Calton Hill. This striking memorial was built in honour of Dugald Stewart, a key influencer during the 18th Century Scottish Enlightenment.
Facilities & Accessibility
The City Observatory atop Calton Hill houses a restaurant called The Lookout and a kiosk for refreshments.
There is a service road next to the Royal High School on Regent Road, which can be used to access the hill by car. Blue Badge holders may park at the top of Calton Hill. This service road is also ideal for mobile scooter drivers or buggy users.
The paths to the various Calton Hill monuments are wheelchair accessible, and there is seating available throughout the grounds. There are disability-friendly toilets available in the City Observatory. In addition, assistance dogs are welcome.
Explore Calton Hill & Beyond With Bright Bus Tours
Bright Bus Tours offers the brightest, most cost-effective way to enjoy Edinburgh. Our buses stop at 15+ locations across the city, including Calton Hill.
This means you can easily take the bus to Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and many other notable stops throughout the city.
Our City Tour buses run every 15 minutes, while our Britannia Tour buses run every hour. This allows you to explore Calton Hill at your own pace and hop aboard to your next destination with ease.
Get the most out of your visit to Calton Hill in Edinburgh with Bright Bus Tours.
Secure your tickets today and explore Scotland’s capital city the Bright Bus way!