Calton Hill

Mountain peak · Greenside

Calton Hill

Mountain peak · Greenside

1

Edinburgh EH7 5BN, United Kingdom

Photos

Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by ssm67alba (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by ssm67alba (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by kerry wolfe (atlas obscura user)
Calton Hill by Jaszmina Szendrey (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by *Debs*/cc by 2.0
Calton Hill by Jaszmina Szendrey (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by erinculley (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by erinculley (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by erinculley (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by Stefan Schäfer, Lich/cc by-sa 3.0
Calton Hill by Stefan Schäfer, Lich/cc by-sa 3.0
Calton Hill by ssm67alba (Atlas Obscura User)
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null
Calton Hill by null

Highlights

Neoclassical monuments, city skyline & castle views atop hill  

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Edinburgh EH7 5BN, United Kingdom Get directions

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Edinburgh EH7 5BN, United Kingdom Get directions

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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12 Celebrations Where Fire and Fireworks Reign Supreme

"Summer in Edinburgh, Scotland, kicks off with an evening of whimsical revelry. Colorful characters parade atop a hill, dancing and marching to the beat of pounding drums. Fires blaze, warming the air with their bright, smoky flames. Every April 30, the Beltane Fire Society puts on a spectacular show to celebrate the start of summer. Thousands of pagans, hippies, tourists, and curious locals gather to witness the wonderful wedding procession of the May Queen and Green Man, who herald the new season in the Celtic calendar. The Beltane Fire Festival is a modern, revived version of an ancient Celtic tradition. It was resurrected in 1988, and is now the largest fire festival of its kind. Beltane was originally an agricultural affair—complete with cattle being herded between bonfires for cleansing—but today it’s a joyous night of fiery celebrations, music, and dancing. Starting from the colonnade, the May Queen leaves with her torchbearers, drummers, and warrior women to meet her consort and proceed through the crowds. Each point of the compass the procession visits is dedicated to one of the four elements, and there will be a performance as they pass through. At midnight, the lead characters will light a massive bonfire and announce the official start of summer. Some people like to dance naked around the fire and will do so if security is in a mellow mood, so be prepared for that if you are at all sensitive to such sights. Watch out for Reds, strangely behaving mischief-makers covered in red body paint who will try to break up the wedding party. They may approach you, have a sniff, snarl, hiss, or even try to kiss you! They signify chaos in nature, and at the end of the evening, will be dancing with the May Queen’s attendants." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/firework-celebrations
View Postcard for Calton Hill

VJ

Google
It's a nice place to get a good view of Edinburgh from a high vantage point. The quiet, clean, and beautiful setting is perfect for a walk and relaxation.

Graham Tranter

Google
Not originally on our itinerary, we took a diversion to walk up to the top of Calton Hill to have a brief view of the various statues and monuments before we continued our voyage. Sadly we were early that day and access to the monuments was not yet open. Good views are possible from the top to Edinburgh Castle and back across to the Firth.

Yasin

Google
It was once used as an astronomical observation tower. It is very impressive to climb up here and look down on the city. I really liked it, but be careful of the wind and cold in the winter months.

Kellina Pinar

Google
TL;DR: Calton Hill in Edinburgh offers breathtaking panoramic views and rich history just a short walk from the city center. A must-visit for an easy yet rewarding hike. Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic spots, offering a blend of history, architecture, and stunning vistas. Located just a short distance from the city center, the hill is home to several notable monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, and the Nelson Monument, which commemorates Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The short but steep walk up is absolutely worth it. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with incredible panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Firth of Forth, and the city’s stunning skyline. Whether visiting at sunrise, sunset, or midday, the scenery is spectacular. It’s an easy-to-access gem within the city, perfect for those looking to experience Edinburgh’s history and beauty without leaving town. Highly recommend adding this to your itinerary!

Shelley C

Google
Calton Hill is a great place to visit during the day and at night. The views over Edinburgh are stunning. It is the location of a number of monuments, including Nelson's Monument and the National Monument, and the Observatory is situated here. There is the option of steps or a sloped climb, depending on which side you approach the hill. The hill is free to climb, and the monuments are free to view. There is disabled parking at the top of the hill. Taxis will also drop passengers with disabilities at the top. There are flat pathways so you can move around. There are disabled toilets in the Observatory.

AJay Sadh

Google
Calton Hill offers stunning panoramic views of Edinburgh, and visiting in cool mid-January weather adds a crisp, refreshing atmosphere. The historic monuments, including the National Monument and Nelson Monument, stand out beautifully against the winter sky. Despite the chill, the walk up is short and rewarding, with fewer crowds allowing for a peaceful experience. It's a great spot for photography and soaking in the city's charm.

Alexey Subach

Google
Nice view on the city but the walk is not as impressive and the buildings at the top are just okay and nothing more in my opinion. You can check this spot if you are close by but I would not make a long walk deliberately just for it

CHRISTINE ALCOBA

Google
Very nice hill of Edinburgh. It’s a great place to get a view of the city. There’s some steps and an incline to reach the top. It’s quite busy and some places are only open on certain days.