Calton Hill

Calton Hill is another one of the volcanic outcrops that forms much of Edinburgh's landscape.

From Calton Hill you have views of Leith, Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags and the Firth of Forth. You can see Holyrood Palace sitting below Arthur's Seat and now Scotland's acclaimed Parliament building.

Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle

One of the most impressive views is looking west along Princes Street with the Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle just to the left.

At the top...

There a number of structures on the top of Calton Hill.

Edinburgh's Shame

The most striking is the Acropolis (originally called the National Monument) and replicates the Parthenon in Athens. It was intended as a memorial to the fallen during the Napoleonic Wars but remains unfinished and often referred to as Edinburgh's Shame.

Nelson's Monument 

Situated alongside is Nelson's Monument which commemorates the death and victory, of Lord Nelson over the French and Spanish at the battle of Trafalgar.

It was designed by architect Robert Burn and represents an upturned telescope. It was built between 1807 and 1815 and in 1852, a large time ball was added to the top. Each day in conjunction with the one o'clock being fired, from Edinburgh castle, it is lowered.

It has 143 steps to the top and offers even better views of Fife to the north, the Forth estuary to the east, the Moorfoot hills to the south and both the Forth Rail Bridge and Forth Road Bridge to the west.

It is open to the public and cost £3.00 to enter.