Arthur's Seat

With rather more than a nod to the legendary King Arthur, the area of parkland and high ground to the east of Edinburgh Castle is known as Arthur's Seat.

The highest point of this green area is a craggy rock and reaches 823ft above sea level.  The earliest settlers built hill forts on the several peaks and the area has been inhabited for more than 2000 years.

There are some very pleasant walks around the parkland affording the walker many beautiful views over the city, the Firth of Forth and far off into the distance.

One of the most prominent outcrops of rock is known as the Salisbury Crags.  These 151ft high cliffs rise from the surrounding grassland and are made of columnar basalt and dolerite.

The footpath which runs around the base of these cliffs, was built around 1820 and took the name of Radical Road following the 'Radical War' of the period.  The views from here are rather good too.  A pair of Ravens had taken this rocky crag as their home and were busy proclaiming their right to it as we walked around.