While in Edinburgh we decided we couldn't pass up the opportunity to climb to Arthur's Seat. Arthur's Seat is the main peak of a cluster of hills situated about a mile from Edinburgh Castle. It was created by an extinct volcano which was eroded by a glacier, forming rocky crags and the basalt cliffs of Arthur's Seat. We experienced many people and dogs utilizing the trails up the mountain, encountered a few joggers, a once at the top had a stunning view of the city below. Once we reached the top it had become so windy we had to hold on to some stone pillars so that we would not go flying away over the rocks.
Arthur's Seat has many cultural meanings for the people of Edinburgh. For instance, Scotland's 12th-century king was said to have encountered a stag while out hunting beneath Arthur's Seat. Having fallen from his horse and about to be gored, he had a vision of a cross appearing between the animal's antlers, before it inexplicably turned away, leaving him unharmed. The king, believing his life had been spared through divine intervention returned to found Holyrood Abbey whose coat of arms is now a cross framed by antlers. Another tradition was for young girls to bathe their faces in celebration of May Day in the loch at the base of the hill.
Climbing Arthur's Seat was such a breath- taking experience. It was intensely wonderful to be able to see the harbor, the city, the castle, and lush green landscape from this one hilltop. It was interesting to see all of these different landscapes and environments thriving so close to one another.
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