A taste of the Highlands right by the capital

Word to the wise: If you want to go climbing here, you’ll need to apply for a free permit at the education centre on the east side of the park.

A beautiful Royal Park within spitting distance of the capital, Holyrood offers visitors to Edinburgh a real taste of the Scottish Highlands. With 650 acres of high hills, wide glens, steep cliffs, craggy ridges and deep lochs it makes for a perfect excursion from the city – particularly during busy festival times.

Besides the iconic Arthur’s Seat – the highest peak in the area – Holyrood Park offers a range of other attractions, both natural and man-made. Its rib-like basalt rock formations, natural springs and abundant wildlife are matched only by its ruined abbeys, historic chapels and famous memorials. The popular park also offers adrenaline-pumping activities from hiking to canoeing, to rock climbing. So whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff or a sporty type, there's something to amuse.