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calton hill – a photographer’s delight

text and photo werner gritzbach

The eastern end of Princes Street rises towards Calton Hill, created by volcanic action 340 million years ago.

In 1724 the city of Edinburgh bought Calton Hill and turned it into one of Britain’s first public parks. There are a number of buildings and monuments here dating from 1760 to 1820, a period of great artistic, literary and scientific advancement known as the “Scottish Enlightenment”.

As you enter the hill from Waterloo Place, you pass Rock House, which was home to pioneering photographer David Octavius Hill.

Further up you come to the lighthouse-like Nelson’s Monument. Climb the 143 stairs inside for one of the most beautiful views over the city.

The National Monument, built by famous Scottish architect William Henry Playfair, looks like half a Greek temple with 12 Doric columns, but is not nearly so old as it looks: it was built to commemorate the victims of the Napoleonic Wars. Does it seem half-finished? The story goes that the money ran out during the construction works.

A walk round the hill is worth it for terrific views across Edinburgh to Arthur’s Seat and the entire coastline of the Firth of Forth.

Tip: On the other side of Waterloo Place you can visit a beautiful old cemetery, the “Old Calton Burying Ground”, where you will find the graves of many famous Edinburghers like David Hume, painter David Allen, mathematician John Playfair and actor Charles MacKay.

Calton Hill, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH7 5AA.

Nelson’s Monument:

1 Apr - 30 Sep: Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm, Sunday 12 pm - 5pm.

1 Oct - 31 Mar: Mon - Sat 10am - 3pm, Sunday 12pm - 3pm.

£4.