Edinburgh
Calton Hill
About
Calton Hill
Calton Hill, often known as Monument Hill, is one of the best places to take in the panoramic views over Edinburgh. From its peak, you can see iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, Leith, the Old Town and the New Town. It’s a picture-perfect location you might know from postcards and Instagram - and it’s easy to see why. Calton Hill is ore than its stunning views. The surrounding areas is a bustling mix of lively commercial streets and quiet residential areas. On the hill itself you will find the Collective contemporary art museum and the spectacular unfinished National Monument. Just below, at the top of bustling Leith Walk, you will discover an electric mix of bars, actual cafes and the Edinburgh Playhouse, which hosts everything for musicals and stand up comedy.
Things to see & do
FAQs
Calton Hill sits in the heart of Edinburgh, at the eastern end of Princes Street, rising 103 metres above the city. From the top you get one of Scotland's most celebrated views, taking in Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, the Firth of Forth, and the Old and New Towns.
The most striking of them is the National Monument of Scotland, an unfinished replica of the Parthenon. It was begun in 1826 as a memorial to the dead of the Napoleonic Wars but abandoned when the money ran out, which earned it the nicknames 'Edinburgh's Disgrace' and 'Edinburgh's Folly'.
From the main entrance at Waterloo Place it's about 10 to 15 minutes to the top. The paved path makes for a short, easy climb that suits most visitors. Entry is free and the hill is open at all hours.
Like Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill is the remnant of an extinct volcano, though far smaller at 103 metres. Edinburgh is famously built on several old volcanic formations.
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Calton Hill
with a local expert guide.
Tours visiting this attraction
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