Calton Hill
About
Calton Hill is Edinburgh's other great viewpoint — smaller than Arthur's Seat but easier to reach and arguably more photogenic. The five-minute walk from the steps at Waterloo Place rewards you with one of the most iconic panoramas in Britain: the castle, Old Town, Scott Monument, Princes Street, the Firth of Forth, and the hills of Fife all laid out before you. The hilltop is dotted with striking neoclassical monuments. The National Monument (Edinburgh's unfinished Parthenon replica — the city ran out of money in 1829) is oddly beautiful in its incompleteness. The Nelson Monument offers 360-degree views from its viewing platform. The Dugald Stewart Monument against a sunset sky is one of the most photographed scenes in Edinburgh. Calton Hill is a year-round destination, but it's particularly spectacular at sunset and during the Beltane Fire Festival on April 30th. It's also the site of the Scottish Government building at the base and the old Royal Observatory. The walk up is gentle and short — this is an easy add-on to any Edinburgh visit and shouldn't be missed.
Tickets & Pricing
Free. Nelson Monument viewing platform: £6.
Opening Times
Open 24 hours. Nelson Monument: Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00 (summer), shorter hours in winter.
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