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How often does it rain? The short answer is “It probably won’t rain on you”. The long answer is longer: I’ve walked up Arthur’s Seat hundreds of times and most of them have been dry and sunny. This may come as a surprise to you if you’ve heard that it always rains in Scotland. But Edinburgh and the East of Scotland are generally much drier and sunnier than Glasgow and the West coast. Most days on Arthur’s Seat are clear and fine, with panoramic views far and wide. On particularly clear days we can see all the way to Ben Lomond, a mountain on the far side of Glasgow. We almost always get to enjoy sights all around, including the North Sea, Kingdom of Fife, Pentland Hills, and the Forth Bridge. But… Occasionally the hill is shrouded in fog — we call this ‘the haar’ in Edinbrgh — which adds an eerie, atmospheric ambiance. It makes everything very still and quiet, and — not being able to see down to the city below — it feels like we’re sailing over an ocean of cloud. On special rare occasions we are treated to a cloud inversion, where the summit is above the layer of cloud. Emerging from the mist into a warm, sunny world is like ascending to heaven. Quite often it can be windy on the hill, windier than in the city where you are sheltered by buildings. This wind can make it feel cold, and a strong wind can make walking difficult. For this reason I advise against using an umbrella on the hill. It can rain. Mostly it doesn’t. But when it does it’s normally a short spell of drizzle. I’ve watched many dark clouds from the hill as they pass by and head out to sea. Of course, heavier rain is also a possibility. I always recommend bringing a waterproof because it might rain at any time, and it’s better to be prepared. But your most important choice will be which shoes to wear. The rock on the hill can be slippery when wet, and the paths can get muddy, so wearing a decent pair of walking shoes or boots is always a good idea. Rain also has its advantages. It clears the air, so afterwards the sunset is even more beautiful. It also clears the hill, so there are fewer other people around. In Winter there is the added excitement of frost and snow. We don’t get much snow in Edinburgh, but when we do the city is magical fairytale. There can be some icy sections on some of the paths, but the blanket of sparkling frost or white snow is beautiful to see.

How long it takes and when to set off I lead guided group hikes up Arthur's Seat, but if you prefer to do your own thing here's some information which might help. Watching the sun set over Edinburgh’s skyline is a pretty magical experience. Arthur’s Seat is the highest hill in Edinburgh and is conveniently located just next to the city centre, so you can enjoy this experience even when you’re only here for a short time. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things to consider when planning your hike: Sunset Times Edinburgh is as far north as parts of Alaska, so there’s a huge difference between sunset times in Winter and Summer. The precise time of sunset changes every day, so you need to check what time it will happen on the day you’ve chosen. In mid  Summer  the Sun sets at 10:02 PM . In mid Winter  it sets at 3:38 PM. Each day the sunset time changes by a little bit, so no two days are the same. The rate of change is quickest in Spring and Autumn, when the days are rapidly getting lighter or darker. Remember that we change our clocks twice a year in Scotland. On the last Sunday in March we set our clocks forwards by one hour. And on the last Sunday in October we put them back by one hour. Trail Times You’ll need to consider how long it will take you to reach the summit. My group Sunset Hikes depart one hour before sunset, which allows plenty of time to enjoy the hike to the top. I like to avoid the busier main path and take a route which allows a better view of the sunset as we hike. If you’re super fit and heading up the most direct route you can get to the summit in about 30 minutes. But you’d spend most of your time on the dark side of the hill, so you’d miss out on the best moments of the sunset. Routes There are many paths and trails all over Holyrood Park, some of which take you to the summit of Arthur’s Seat, and some don’t. My favourite path is what I call the ‘Sunset Route’, which allows a near-constant view out towards the setting sun as we climb the hill. Another option — if you’re not bothered about getting to the summit of Arthur’s Seat — is to walk the path along the top of Salisbury Crags. This track follows the top of steep cliffs and has a good view of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is a rough track which is steep in places and not maintained. Golden Hour I start my hikes one hour before sunset, and this time of day is known as Golden Hour. This is when the sunlight is at its best, showering the hills with golden rays and lighting up the cliffs in a blaze of colour. The Descent Walking down the hill after the sunset, you’ll see the sky constantly changing colour. The silhouettes of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town are picked out against the technicolour background. The light will rapidly be fading. So I provide everyone in my group with a head torch, which is especially useful if there are clouds darkening the sky. Remember that there are no street lights on Arthur’s Seat, and relying on a mobile phone torch is not a very good idea. Some of the routes down the hill can be misleading. What appears to be a good quality path can rapidly descend onto steep, loose ground — or cliffs. It’s important to plan and choose your descent route carefully. Back in Town If everything goes according to plan, you’ll soon be back where you started. And you might still have time to find one of Edinburgh’s cosy pubs or restaurants to enjoy the rest of your evening.

8¼ reasons to book a guided group hike Many people visit Arthur’s Seat every day of the year. From elsewhere in Edinburgh you can almost always see tiny little people standing at the top of the hill, enjoying the view. So why would you choose to join a guided hike with a qualified Mountain Leader? 1.Finding Your Way There are easier routes up the hill and there are harder routes. Some of the paths are misleading and can end up on steep and dangerous terrain, so if you don’t know the area you may prefer to have a guide show you the best way and avoid the crowds. 2. Safety All routes to the summit require you to walk on steep, rocky ground. Your group leader will show you what the most appropriate route depending on the weather and ground conditions each day. The group leader will be able to help you on any slightly tricky sections, and avoid unnecessary difficulties by choosing the best path. Qualified Mountain Leaders are required to undertake Outdoor First Aid training and have many years experience hiking in Scotland’s mountains. 3. Sunset — After Dark Sunset hikes reach the summit just before the sun disappears, so we walk down the hill as it’s getting darker. Many of our group members are very glad to be in a group when it gets dark — especially solo travellers . We provide head torches for all group members. 4. Local Knowledge and Stories Your guide will provide a stories and local insight during the hike. This brings to life everything you can see from the hill. Edinburgh Castle, the Palace, the Old Town, New Town, and Leith, you’ll hear amusing stories and interesting facts as you go. 5. Recommendations You can ask your guide about other things to do in Edinburgh during your visit, as we’ll be walking together for a couple of hours. We’re particularly good at café/restaurant/pub recommendations . And if you’re travelling further, our extensive knowledge of Scotland is invaluable, especially if you’re thinking of hiking or adventuring in the Scottish Highlands . 5. Wildlife Arthur’s Seat is home to a diverse range of plants and animals . These change constantly with the seasons . In Spring you’ll see the blazing yellow gorse blanketing the hill. In Summer it’s a sea of purple heather flowers. Autumn brings bright orange leaves on the trees. And Winter has a magic of its own, with dramatic skies and occasional frost. 6. Timings If you’re not sure about pacing yourself , or if you’re worried about getting to the summit for the perfect Sunset , a guided tour is your answer. The route is chosen to show you the best of the views, while avoiding the crowds . There are plenty of chances to stop , admire the landscape, and take photos . 7.Photography And of course it doesn’t count unless you’ve got a photo . So you’ll be shown the best photo locations , where you can get some cool shots on the mountain. Professional photography packages also available. 8. Gift Everyone who comes on one of our hikes gets a gift at the end. You’ll have to wait and see what it is. 8¼. You might see the King* King Charles and other members of the Royal Family often visit Edinburgh and stay in the Palace of Holyrood House — this is where we begin the hike. Sometimes we see the Royal helicopter arriving or leaving, and flying around Arthur’s Seat. When a member of the Royal Family is in residence, the Palace flies the Royal Standard , so we know they’re home. *Royal sightings not guaranteed.

Changing light and colours on Edinburgh's highest hill As the days grow shorter and darkness extends its embrace ever further, you might be forgiven for wanting to hunker down under a warm blanket and hibernate until it’s springtime again. But this would be to miss out on one of the best times of year to enjoy the hill. Winter in Scotland is the best month for being out in the hills, with the low sun casting an alluring light across the landscape. The constantly changing sky is a restless beast, boiling, stirring, shining, and beguiling. No two moments are the same as you walk up the hill. Every time you look up you are met by a different sky and a changing light. Especially at sunset, when the eternal dance of the sunlight reaches its crescendo and the clouds are first smouldering, then bursting into flames. The pure sunlight ricochets through the atmosphere, igniting the clouds, and shattering the soaring ice crystals. The light then bursts into a thousand hues: the spectrum reveals its innermost recesses as the sun slips towards the horizon. A layer of cloud shrouds the far distance as you stand on the summit, looking past the spires and towers of the city. Then just as you think it is all over, the golden disc of the sun appears between the cloud and the horizon, shimmering as it slips towards the place between day and night. It dances its last, while the gathered crowd drinks in the otherworldly glow. And then it is gone. People turn and leave, rushing to get down the hill before the darkness comes to exact its toll. But we know better than to depart so soon. The next five minutes are the pièce de résistance. With the sun now lower than the cloud — but itself out of sight — the bright orange rays still hurl themselves forwards, bouncing off the underside of the clouds, illuminating them like a sea of molten magma. The extinct volcano which we are sitting upon is alive once more, just for a few minutes. The patchwork of glowing, broken clouds above us makes us feel as if we are inside the heart of the volcano, swimming through a pool of lava, looking up to the surface. The clouds are now fading as the sun slips further away. Reluctantly turning to the dark side of the hill for our descent, we are greeted by an emissary of the night, come to reassure us that wea re not alone: the full moon. Gold has become silver as day has become night. The Sea of Tranquility shines down upon us as the still waters of the North Sea lie before us, sprinkled with flecks of moonlight as the waves lap along the nearby shore. But the sunset has not yet breathed its last. The bright light of the crescendo has now become the deeper hues of the epilogue as we near the lower slopes of the hill. Edinburgh’s skyline silhouettes itself against the last throes of the day’s light. Oranges have become reds, reds have become purples, and soon even purples will fade into the deepest indigos. This is the Gloaming. Street lamps flicker into life below us, and the city is not yet ready to sleep. The darkness of the hill allows us to enjoy the sunset to its full extent. Then — as we slip back into the world of light bulbs, busy people, and buses — the sky darkens, the stars fade, and we lose our ancient ancestral link to the sun, the moon, the wind, and the sky. Until tomorrow.