Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is 650 acres of natural meadow land next to Edinburgh's Old Town. It is also called The Queen's Park since it is part of the Holyrood Palace estate, but it is not usually referred to by this name since it is only very rarely closed to the public. 

The park is totally natural and informal, with a loch, chapel ruins and large hills which are actually the remains of extinct volcanoes. The area is a favourite for walking, accessing panoramic views of Edinburgh and picnics. 

For those looking for a relaxing outing or who have children with them, the flatter areas of land offer picturesque walks. There is St. Margaret's loch (lake), and the ruined St. Anthony's Chapel, dating back to the 1100s. These locations afford great views, and are perfect for a picnic. 

Walkers who are looking for more of a challenge could ascend Salisbury Crag, which offers views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. A challenging, time consuming but rewarding walk is to the top of Arthur's Seat. Shaped like a crouching lion, this is the largest and most famous extinct volcano in the area. There are certain paths that make the walk more straightforward, and it is advisable to get leaflets or a guide book on the subject before commencing the walk (the Tourist Information Centre is next to Waverley Train Station). 

Holyrood Park is special because of the extinct volcanoes it contains, and also because it has been  practically untouched by developers – there are no flower beds or duck ponds, just the natural Scottish landscape.