The Landmarks of Edinburgh"s Calton Hill
Edinburgh is a city filled with green spaces, both blatant and hidden - and many morbid, as any fan of the city's several centrally-located graveyards will tell you. Nevertheless, Scotland's capital is a city where you never have to travel too far to find a bubble of nature, be it the large basin of Princes Street Gardens or the winding pathways along the city's river, the Water of Leith.
Famous for its bumpy streets, Edinburgh is also the home to a series of hills which characterise the city's landscape and feature heavily in many postcards. Several of them are very central, with the most famous being Arthur's Seat, which is in the south east of the city. This hill is said to have its name derived from legends of King Arthur and, from some angles, resembles a crouched lion.
Another popular Edinburgh hill is Calton Hill, which sits conveniently at the east end of famous shopping street, Princes Street. Calton Hill's location makes it fantastic for a spot of hillwalking without travelling far at all - and the views of Edinburgh and the sea reaching over to Fife are unrivalled. Many people use Calton Hill as a way by which to procure excellent photos of Edinburgh, but the dramatic and picturesque nature of Calton Hill itself shouldn't be ignored.
Just like the rest of Edinburgh, Calton Hill is peppered with monuments and landmarks spanning hundreds of years into the past. Most notable is the National Monument, an incomplete homage to the Parthenon in Athens, which was started in 1826 but discontinued when funds ran out. The building is now known as Edinburgh's Disgrace among locals - but is still impressive to behold.
Close by is Nelson's Monument, a 100ft high column that is open to the public who can climb its 143 steps to a viewing gallery overlooking Edinburgh's historic centre. Dedicated to Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson's victory over Spanish and French fleets in 1805's Battle of Trafalgar, the monument provides plenty of information about its namesake and is a stunning piece of architecture.
There's plenty more to take in on Calton Hill, such as the eye-catching Dugald Stewart Monument on its western corner, by Nelson's Monument, the New Parliament House and the City observatory, making Calton Hill one of Edinburgh's most fascinating attractions. Why not visit once you arrive on your flights to Edinburgh - a day of insightful exploration and stunning views awaits!
Famous for its bumpy streets, Edinburgh is also the home to a series of hills which characterise the city's landscape and feature heavily in many postcards. Several of them are very central, with the most famous being Arthur's Seat, which is in the south east of the city. This hill is said to have its name derived from legends of King Arthur and, from some angles, resembles a crouched lion.
Another popular Edinburgh hill is Calton Hill, which sits conveniently at the east end of famous shopping street, Princes Street. Calton Hill's location makes it fantastic for a spot of hillwalking without travelling far at all - and the views of Edinburgh and the sea reaching over to Fife are unrivalled. Many people use Calton Hill as a way by which to procure excellent photos of Edinburgh, but the dramatic and picturesque nature of Calton Hill itself shouldn't be ignored.
Just like the rest of Edinburgh, Calton Hill is peppered with monuments and landmarks spanning hundreds of years into the past. Most notable is the National Monument, an incomplete homage to the Parthenon in Athens, which was started in 1826 but discontinued when funds ran out. The building is now known as Edinburgh's Disgrace among locals - but is still impressive to behold.
Close by is Nelson's Monument, a 100ft high column that is open to the public who can climb its 143 steps to a viewing gallery overlooking Edinburgh's historic centre. Dedicated to Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson's victory over Spanish and French fleets in 1805's Battle of Trafalgar, the monument provides plenty of information about its namesake and is a stunning piece of architecture.
There's plenty more to take in on Calton Hill, such as the eye-catching Dugald Stewart Monument on its western corner, by Nelson's Monument, the New Parliament House and the City observatory, making Calton Hill one of Edinburgh's most fascinating attractions. Why not visit once you arrive on your flights to Edinburgh - a day of insightful exploration and stunning views awaits!
