Please be advised that Edinburgh city centre is becoming a low emissions zone (LEZ). All vehicles entering the city centre zone area must now meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge. To check if your car meets LEZ emissions standards, please visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/lez
Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is a wonderful place to visit during your stay with us at Parliament House Hotel. This is ancient land, with stone dating from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. There is evidence of human activity on the site, dating back to the Bronze Age. The most famous landmark in the park is Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, which towers above the city. This is a popular hill walk, which gives stunning views across Edinburgh.
Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags
The park is a site of special scientific interest, due to its fascinating geographical make up. It is formed by a group of hills. The highest point of which is Arthur’s Seat, the peak of an extinct volcano. Below this, are the Salisbury Crags basalt cliffs. The 18th century geologist, James Hutton, studied these rocks in depth, helping him to introduce new ideas about the age and formation of the earth. He is now known as the ‘father of modern geology.’
You can walk to the summit of Arthur’s Seat for incredible panoramic views across the city. The walk is fairly easy and takes around 2 hours. However, there is some rough ground and it’s a steep and rocky climb at the very top. Walking instructions.
‘New York has Central Park, London has Regents Park, and lying only one mile from its very centre Edinburgh has Holyrood Park. Quite frankly it’s possibly the best park enjoyed by any City in the World. Breathtaking scenery, incredible walks, it really is a fantastic break from the bustling City and well worth a visit..’
– Holyrood Park Tripadvisor Review
Holyrood Park landmarks
The site is located close to Holyrood Abbey, founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a principal royal residence in Scotland. It is a royal park with a rich history and also many interesting features. So it’s a great place to explore, with hills, lochs, glens and lots of wildlife.
Main landmarks in Holyrood Park include Arthur’s Seat, Salisbury Crags and several other hills and rock formations. The mysterious ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel stand on the hill above St Margaret’s Loch. There are many other points of interest, such as Duddingston Loch, Muschat’s Cairn and St Margaret’s Well.
Holyrood Park is always open, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can find useful visitor information and directions here.
