Calton Hill

Calton Hill is an elevated landform in central Edinburgh rising 103 meters (338 feet) above the city and offering views toward Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Park, and the Firth of Forth. At the summit stand several 19th-century monuments including an unfinished Greek columned structure, a tower, and smaller stone features.

King James II granted the land to Edinburgh in 1456, and the area served for tournaments and military training over the following centuries. The monument structures arose in the early 1800s as memorials to war events and important figures.

The name comes from an old word for wooded hill and fits the appearance of the place with its trees and open spaces. Visitors see walkers moving between the monuments and viewpoints while groups gather on the grass.

The route leads up steps from Regent Road or along gentler paths from Waterloo Place, and both entries remain open throughout the year. Those avoiding steps choose the gradual climb, which suits pushchairs and wheelchair users better.

Robert Barker painted the first circular panoramic view from an observatory tower here in 1787, founding a new form of painting. His all-around image showed the city in every direction and was later copied in other cities.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Elevation above the sea: 103 m

Address: Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA, UK

GPS coordinates: 55.95560,-3.18235

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:38