Tag: Scottish Lochs

Arthur’s Seat, the view that can’t be beat.

Arthur’s Seat.

Climb to the very top of Arthur's Seat and this will tell you everything you're looking at.
Climb to the very top of Arthur’s Seat and this will tell you everything you’re looking at.

If you visit Edinburgh, you will surely have heard the name Arthur’s Seat. A famous landmark, visited by tourists and locals alike and a great view point to see all around Edinburgh, if you manage it all the way to the top. It lies East of the city centre, approximately 1 mile from Edinburgh Castle and is 250.5 metres in height.

Arthur's Seat showing the famous skyline of the extinct volcano.
Arthur’s Seat – The famous skyline showing off the extinct volcano.

As well as being a popular site to visit for walking and hiking, Arthur’s Seat is also a site of special scientific interest, being important for its geology, various species of plants and animals and also their habitats. Indeed, if you have an interest in volcanoes and how they change the landscape, you should definitely visit and do a bit of research on Arthur’s Seat and the surrounding areas.

History on Arthur’s Seat

In history, Arthur’s Seat was used as a hill fort. Indeed, Hill fort defences are visible round the main massif of Arthur’s Seat at Dunsapie Hill and above Samson’s Rib.

You’re never alone on Arthur’s Seat. The view towards Calton Hill and the City from the foot of the hill behind Holyrood Park.

As you walk up the hill, the first thing that strikes you is how many people are visiting this area. Very easy to get to, with Holyrood Park just below, the Scottish Parliament building, Dynamic earth and The Palace of Holyrood House are also very near, public transport regularly passes this area. As well as this, there are car parking spaces at the Holyrood Park side. You are never alone while walking up Arthur’s Seat, there’s always someone to nod hello to as you pass.

A view of the loch and part of the city from a mid-point view.

The climb from the Holyrood Palace side is fairly easy up until the higher points, where it becomes rocky and not for those who aren’t sure footed, however, even if you only manage to go partway up, you can still be stunned by the lovely views of Edinburgh.

Looking over to Portobello.

If you’re a budding writer or film maker, Arthur’s Seat is inspiring, being the focal point of many famous book and films such as The Underground City by Jules Verne and One Day by David Nicholls.

As we said, you’re never alone on Arthur’s Seat.

Whoever you are, if you are coming to Scotland and you have the ability to use your legs, Arthur’s Seat should be on your go to list. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll be able to take photographs to impress your friends.

Callendar Park; a Jewel in the Crown of Scotland.

Callendar Park in Falkirk.

The swans of Callendar Park Loch.
Some of the many inhabitants of Callendar Park loch.

Having spent some of my formative years in the Falkirk area, Callendar Park has a special place in my heart. As a child, a trip to Callendar park was quite an event. A picnic would be prepared, we would make sure that the bag was packed with all the food and, if we had pocket money, we knew we would be able to buy an ice-cream cone from the kiosk that still stands there today. Back then, some 45 or so years ago, there was more for children in the park than there is today. I remember the play park there for its merry-go-round and just across from the kiosk, there were rectangular trampolines set into the ground. You could bounce to your heart’s content and the only thing you had to worry about was someone ‘stealing’ your trampoline while you nipped away for a minute.

Callendar House in the Winter Sunshine.
A February Afternoon at Callendar House

We used to have a go on the rowing boats and row around the beautiful, scenic lake there for 20 minutes or so then go and find a place on the grass to eat our much awaited picnic. Now there are swan pedalos instead of rowing boats and the trampolines are long gone, consigned to the memories of people like me.  However, time moves on and the park has stood the test of time. The play park has been modernised and, a sign of the health and safety times, it has a huge fence around it to prevent dogs from coming in where the children play and, of course, the equipment there is much different from 45 year ago. Although there are no trampolines,  in the summer months a bouncy castle is sometimes in situ and parents can pay for young children to have a bounce under supervision. The crazy golf is popular with families and there is also a 9 hole, 3 par golf course  for the enthusiasts who are not satisfied with 10 minutes on the crazy golf.

Fun at Callendar Park.
Having Fun at Callendar Park in the Winter.

The park is home to the beautiful  600 years old mansion, Callendar House which throughout the ages has hosted many famous people including Mary, Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell. Today it is a tourist attraction, like so many historical buildings but the difference is, it is free to enter and wander around its rooms and corridors which host exhibitions of various kinds and a lovely tea room that overlooks the gardens to the rear through huge sash windows. You can even have a taste of what it was like to be a scullery maid in the basement kitchen which retains its original features and kitchen utensils. If you’re lucky, the ‘cook’ in full period costume will allow you to taste a biscuit just like the ones they used to cook there long ago.

Pugs at Callendar Park
Pugs in the Park

The best thing about Callendar park, though, is its beauty. With lots of walking and bike paths, the natural beauty of the mature woodlands can be enjoyed for days at a time and if you’re coming by car there are many free car parking spaces in public areas.

Callendar Park High Flats
Callendar Park High Flats – the New in Harmony with the Old.

While you’re wandering through the grounds and woodlands of Callendar Estate, you will understand just how much this park and its surroundings means to the area. At most times of the day and into the evening,  you will see people walking, jogging, cycling and horse riding and you will mostly be greeted with a nod or a hello. Dogs are welcome too and they bring their own kind of social scene, with dog owners standing around and chatting about their furry loved one as their dogs play together.

Walking in Callendar Park
There are many walkways in Callendar Park, Falkirk. Enjoy them in Winter or summer.

There’s nothing like trees and nature to bring out the best in folk and in this era of technology and being stuck at a desk, a natural area that is free to all and easy to access, is just what the doctor ordered.

The Beautiful Trees of Callendar Park
The Beautiful Trees of Callendar Park in Winter

Don’t make a trip to Falkirk and Central Scotland area without keeping a day free to spend at Callendar Park. There’s always something going on.

Callendar House, back gardens.
A beautiful place to spend the day.

Callendar Park looks forward to welcoming you. How to get to Callendar Park.