Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Arthur's Seat
AO Edited

Arthur's Seat

This extinct volcano rises above Edinburgh and is special for its panoramic views over the city.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
Obscuravibes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Arthur’s Seat   Magnus Hagdorn / CC BY-SA 2.0
Arthur’s Seat   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Arthur’s Seat   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  6wm6r2txqc / Atlas Obscura User
St Anthony’s Chapel on the way up to Arthur’s Seat  
St Anthony’s Chapel on the way up to Arthur’s Seat  
St Anthony’s Chapel on the way up to Arthur’s Seat  
St Anthony’s Chapel on the way up to Arthur’s Seat  
St Anthony’s Chapel on the way to Arthur’s Seat  
  conlyn55 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Path to the summit   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Duddingston Loch   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Taken from Hotel W, St. Jamess Quarter   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Edinburgh Arthur’s Seat   David Monniaux / CC BY-SA 3.0
View from atop Nelson’s Monument, Calton Hill   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

It is quite remarkable to think that Arthur's Seat, a large hill sitting to the southeast of Edinburgh, was an active volcano many million years ago. The now dormant volcanic plug sits at a height of 251 meters (823 feet) and gives fantastic views over the city of Edinburgh, North Berwick on Scotland's east coast, and the North Sea beyond. 

It is thought that around 350 million years ago, Arthur's seat was formed by a volcanic eruption and the two bumpy summits are what is left of the volcano's central vents (from where the hot lava would have poured out many years ago). This iconic shape is recognizable from all sides of the city and is often used as a landmark for locals to navigate their way around. 

The exact origins of the name are unclear and the most common theory put forward by historians is that it was the site of the legendary Camelot, home of King Arthur and his noble Knights of the Roud Table. There is an age-old tradition that exists to this day on May Day (1st of May) each year where young local women wash their face in the dew of the hillside. It was said in legend that this allowed them to maintain youthfulness and bring eternal beauty. 

There is also the theory that it pertains to the Gaelic expression, Àrd-Na-Said. Which roughly translates to "Height of Arrows." As Holyrood Park was the Royal Hunting Grounds, the farthest an archer could shoot their arrow, 251 meters, would reach the top of Arthur's summit or seat as it were.

The Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson summed up the importance and significance of Arthur's Seat by saying it was “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design”. While this iconic hill now lies dormant, it is a seat of nature's greatness that sleeps peacefully looking over the nation's capital city.

Related Tags

Legends King Arthur Hiking Geology Volcanoes

Know Before You Go

Getting to the summit of Arthur's Seat and back will take around two hours. There are several online websites and guidebooks which will suggest the various routes to the summit. As this is a popular attraction, there are several defined trails, of varying levels of difficulty, dotted around. The paths are mostly dirt & rubble, so wear sensible shoes and choose a dry day. Depending, it can be pretty windy at the summit, and space is quite limited.

For the adventurous and avid hiker, the southwest slope offers a steep and rocky ascent. There is a small parking lot located on the east side, on Queen's Drive off Duke's Walk. The climb is quicker but at the cost of a sheerer grade. All roads in the park are closed to motorized vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays. The Holyrood Park website offers information, events, lectures, and walks. Access to the park is free and is open year-round unless stated otherwise for special occasions. NOTE: There is no actual "seat" at the peak, just a spectacular 360-degree vantage point.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Obscuravibes

Edited By

SEANETTA, Collector of Experiences, rbenn250, conlyn55...

  • SEANETTA
  • Collector of Experiences
  • rbenn250
  • conlyn55
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • esj74
  • 6wm6r2txqc
  • lmichellerobbins

Published

November 11, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://edinburgh.org/storyneverends/folkloremyths/take-a-step-back-in-time/
  • https://www.discoveringbritain.org/activities/scotland/viewpoints/arthurs-seat.html
  • https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/arthurs-seat-stone-heart-edinburghs-soul-2463581
  • https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/holyrood-park-and-arthurs-seat-p914341
  • https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/seven-facts-you-may-not-know-about-arthurs-seat-1494785
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland/edinburgh/attractions/arthurs-seat/a/poi-sig/398963/360630
  • https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/arthurs-seat.shtml
  • https://www.discoveringbritain.org/activities/scotland/viewpoints/arthurs-seat.html
Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 5HX
United Kingdom
55.944083, -3.161832
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Innocent Railway Path

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Huang Kuan Statue

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dr Neil's Garden

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Innocent Railway Path

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Huang Kuan Statue

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dr Neil's Garden

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Cabezon Peak

    New Mexico

    Cabezon Peak

    This towering volcanic plug stands out among the dramatic formations that dot this otherworldly desert valley.

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • The entrance to the Devil’s Well

    Caprarola, Italy

    Pozzo del Diavolo (Devil's Well)

    Was this cave created by Hercules's wrath, the devil, or volcanic activity?

  • Obsidian Dome

    June Lake, California

    Obsidian Dome

    A natural dome made of volcanic glass in Inyo National Forest.

  • Red Mountain during winter.

    Flagstaff, Arizona

    Red Mountain

    The eroded core of an ancient volcano is now accessible by a short hike.

  • Piton Sainte-Rose, Réunion

    Notre Dame des Laves

    At the foot of an active volcano sits a church miraculously spared by its lava.

  • Lake Forest, California

    Red Rock Canyon

    A striking geological formation in Southern California.

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.