Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Calton Hill is a small volcanic hill at the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is one of the best viewpoints in the city. A short climb of about 10 minutes from Waterloo Place leads to a summit of monuments built in the early nineteenth century, when Edinburgh styled itself the Athens of the North. The most prominent is the National Monument, an unfinished replica of the Parthenon begun in 1826 and left incomplete when funds ran out. The Nelson Monument, a tower commemorating Admiral Nelson, can be climbed for a small fee and gives higher views. The Dugald Stewart Monument, the City Observatory and the Playfair Monument complete the group. From the summit, the panorama takes in Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Palace, Leith and the Firth of Forth. Sunset is the favoured time, when the old town skyline glows, while sunrise gives quiet and warm light. The hill is free to visit and open at all hours, though the paths are unlit after dark and care is needed. A visit takes 45 minutes to an hour. The best photographic angle for the monuments is from the lower slopes looking up, while the National Monument frames the city from the front. The hill hosts the Beltane Fire Festival on 30 April. Crowds gather for sunset in summer, but the space is wide enough for quiet corners. Weather on the summit can be windy and cold. Calton Hill is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station. The hill is close to other sights. The Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace lie at the foot of the Royal Mile to the east, while Princes Street and the National Galleries are minutes west. Old Calton Burial Ground, at the base, holds the tomb of philosopher David Hume. In winter the days are short and the climb is best done by daylight. Small cafes at the base provide coffee for the walk.