Where Is Arthur’s Seat?

Where is Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is one of four hill forts situated within Holyrood Park, Edinburgh Scotland. These forts  date from around 2,000 years ago. 

About Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat  is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh, Scotland, which form most of Holyrood Park.

The hill was  described by Robert Louis Stevenson as “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design”.

 It is conveniently situated just to the east of the city centre, about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east of Edinburgh Castle and thus very accessible to any visitor to the city.

 The hill towers above the city at a height of 250.5 m (822 ft) and thus provides excellent panoramic views of the city and beyond. The hill is relatively easy to climb, and is popular among hillwalkers.

The easiest way to climb to the top is a simplest ascent from the east, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch.

Salisbury Crags, at the top of the hill, has been popular with rock climbers but access is currently banned altogether by Historic Environment Scotland.

Where did Arthur’s Seat get its name?

It is a popular belief that the name is derived from the legend of King Arhur. There are several hilltops in Britain that bear the same name which supports the theory. Two that come to mind are the peak of Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) in the western highlands, sometimes known as Arthur’s Seat, and Arthur’s Chair on the ridge called Stone Arthur in the English Lake District. 

Arthur’s Seat is often mentioned as one of the possible locations for Camelot, where the legendary King Arthur has his famous meetings with his knights.

The founding of Holyrood Abbey is rumoured to be from the 12th-century king David who fell from his horse when encountering a stag while hunting. Just as the stag readied to gore David with his antlers, a cross appeared and the stag turned away. David believed his life had been spared through divine intervention and founded Holyrood Abbey on the spot. The burgh arms of the Canongate display the head of the stag with the cross framed by its antlers.

Related reading: Arthur’s Seat is one of Edinburgh’s most dramatic landmarks. Discover 3 Perfect Days in Edinburgh, explore Is Munro Bagging for Everyone, and find out What Edinburgh Is Known For. Start planning your Edinburgh trip with our Scotland trip planning guide.

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