Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park sits in the heart of Edinburgh, a wild stretch of highland landscape only a mile east of the castle. Its 650 acres contain hills, lochs, glens and basalt cliffs, all enclosed by a stone wall built in 1541 on the orders of James V. The park once served as a royal hunting estate and still bears the name King’s or Queen’s Park depending on the monarch. Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, rises at the centre to 251 metres, while Salisbury Crags form dramatic cliffs to the west. Three lochs—St Margaret’s, Dunsapie and Duddingston—dot the ground, and the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel stand above the first of these. The park’s geology and history make it worth the journey. Arthur’s Seat offers the easiest climb from the east, rising gently above Dunsapie Loch which supports several bird species. Salisbury Crags, formed from columnar basalt, have long attracted rock climbers; Harold Raeburn, a leading figure in Scottish mountaineering, recorded early routes here in the 1890s. The Radical Road below the cliffs was paved after the 1820 Radical War to give work to unemployed weavers, though later quarrying by the Earl of Haddington left scars still visible. St Margaret’s Loch, created in 1856 as part of Prince Albert’s improvements, now hosts ducks, geese and swans. Visitors find broad grassy slopes, rugged cliffs and quiet water. The main route, Queen’s Drive, carries traffic through the park, while footpaths lead to viewpoints and the lochs. The ruin of Holyrood Abbey, founded in 1128, stands near the palace built by James IV and later remodelled by Sir William Bruce. Traces of prehistoric hill forts appear on Arthur’s Seat and Dunsapie Hill, and cultivation terraces mark the eastern slopes. Samson’s Ribs and Hunter’s Bog add to the varied scenery, offering a piece of wild highland within the city.