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
‘Great views of Edinburgh City and all around, definitely worth the hike up and also on to the Blackfordhill. On a clear day can see for miles!’
– Royal Observatory Edinburgh Tripadvisor Review
Visiting the Royal Observatory
The ROE Visitor Centre on Blackford Hill hosts a programme of public tours and events on selected dates, such as observatory tours, astronomy talks and open days. Find out more about the Royal Observatory’s public events here. The observatory also occasionally runs special events with festivals and partners around Edinburgh. Such as Doors Open Days and Edinburgh Science Festival.
Public events are on selected dates only. However, you can walk up to the top of Blackford Hill at any time, where you can admire the grade-A-listed building from the outside, including its impressive copper-covered domes. The walk up Blackford Hill is stunning and offers magnificent views over the city and beyond.
For guests staying with us at Parliament House Hotel in Edinburgh, you can catch a bus from the city centre towards Blackford Hill, which is around a 30-minute journey. Then the walk to the top of the hill takes a further 20 minutes. Directions here.