The Hughs Volume 1 by Andrew Dempster sampler

arthur’s seat
21
1. arthur’s seat (251m/822ft)
map os sheet 66 (gr 275729)
distance 4km
ascent 210m
time 1.5–2.5 hrs
access palace of holyroodhouse car park (gr 271737)
difficulty easy going on excellent paths
summary Arthur’s Seat is the highest, most prominent and most popular
of Edinburgh’s seven hills and easily the most climbed hill
in Scotland. Its unique position, craggy profile and stunning
panoramic views epitomise the very essence of hill ‘attitude’ –
a Capital Hill in every sense.
A half sovereign is smaller than a five
shilling piece, and many a Highland Ben
of ten times its bulk has less of a real
mountain about it than Arthur’s Seat.
—Harold Raeburn
(pioneer of Scottish mountaineering)
the volcanic plug of Arthur’s Seat
is the focus of the extensive Royal
Park known as Holyrood Park, and
is a striking landmark from all parts
of the city and beyond. The name,
Arthur’s Seat, does not refer to any
local of that name, but likely derives
from the 12th century, when the
Arthur’s Seat
powerful legend of King Arthur and
his knights caught the imagination of
the public, resulting in many places
(and hills) being named in his honour.
A road completely surrounds
Arthur’s Seat within the Park and
ascends almost half way up the
hill on its eastern side at Dunsapie
Loch, where there is ample parking.
This is the start of the easiest and
quickest ascent, but the described