Scotland, Summer 2026 – 4. Calton Hill & Journey Home

On the final day of our trip to Scotland, we visited Calton Hill in Edinburgh, had lunch at Howies Restaurant and took the afternoon train back to Harrogate.

Calton Hill

The 52 metre Calton Hill, Edinburgh’s first public park at the eastern end of Princes Street, is only a short walk from the Travelodge. It is famous for its panoramic city views, iconic neoclassical monuments, and role as part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a steep walk uphill followed by steps to the Hill. There is no entrance fee.

**National Monument:** An unfinished replica of the Parthenon in Athens, started in 1826 to honor Napoleonic War casualties but halted in 1829 due to depleted funds.

**Nelson Monument:** A 100-foot telescope-shaped tower built between 1807 and 1816 featuring a time ball that drops daily at 1:00 PM.

**Dugald Stewart Monument:** A circular, columned memorial honoring the prominent Scottish Enlightenment philosopher.

**City Observatory:** A historic astronomical site on the hill, now operating as the Collective contemporary art centre.

Lunch

We walked back to the Travelodge, collected our luggage, checked out at 12 noon and walked the short distance to Howies Restaurant on Princess Street for lunch. Like most Edinburgh restaurants, it was crowded and we were lucky to get a table. The ‘catch of the day’ on the menu was pan fried cod with a celery and spinach sauce and roast new potatoes. It was excellent. We drank gluten free Peroni.