Calton Hill

For wonderful views and a wealth of attractions
Word to the wise: Look out for year-round festivals taking place on the hill. For example, on New Years’ Eve a giant Viking ship is carried up here and burnt.

The capital’s most significant pile of earth, Calton Hill has played a pivotal role in the history of Edinburgh. It's been used as everything from a place of execution to hosting a vigil for Scottish devolution (it’s now the headquarters of the Scottish Government), and it continues to be a potent symbol of national identity - featuring in a number of iconic images of the Scottish capital.
For visitors the hill boasts a number of attractions - from the National Monument to the large observatory, the lines of terraced housing to the Dugald Stewart Monument - but most of all it boasts the inner city’s finest vantage point, making it the perfect place for an evening stroll.