Sunday, July 5, 2009

4 of 7 Hills

Edinburgh like most of Scotland is not flat. I know, shocking. In fact, there are seven hills in Edinburgh. The most well known are Castle Rock (on which Edinburgh Castle is perched), Calton Hill, and Arthur's Seat. There's also Blackford Hill (home of the Royal Observatory), Braid Hills, Craiglockhart Hill, and Corstorphine Hill.

If you're crazy and so inclined, there's even the 7 Hills of Edinburgh race every year. There were 330 finishers this year, with the winner finnishing in 01:43:06.

Today I went on a walk of four of the seven hills with 5 other walkers. It took us 4 hours, 5 hours if you count the walk down the last hill to the pub at the end. Of course we stopped to admire the view at the top of each hill, so maybe it was only about 4 hours or so of walking and climbing.

Whatever. It works out to be over 8 1/2 miles of walking.

If you're interested, here is the map.



The 8.69 miles were on top of a 4.71 mile run this morning. I'm not sure why I thought this was a good idea. The question now is whether I'm going to be able to walk to work tomorrow.

Even though it was feeling like my legs were going to fall off towards the end, it was a great day out! Pleasant walking company. A beautiful day after a brief but heavy downpour at the start. And a pint of cider at the end.

Here are some pictures of some of the views.

Castle Rock - This is a picture taken from the Esplanade. The blue stadium seating is for the Tatoo.


Scott Monument and the Princes Street Gardens, walking from Edinburgh Castle to Calton Hill


Looking back toward Edinburgh Castle from Calton Hill


Top of Calton Hill


Walking toward Arthur's Seat from Calton Hill


Looking back toward Calton Hill from Arthur's Seat


Top of Arthur's Seat


View from Arthur's Seat


View from from Arthur's Seat


Looking back toward Arthur's Seat from Blackford Hill


Toward the top of Blackford Hill


Braid Hills from the top of Blackford Hill. Farther away in the distance are the Pentand Hills.


Craiglockhart Hill from the top of Blackford Hill


Corstorphine Hill from the top of Blackford Hill

4 comments:

GatorPerson said...

Great pics. DH and I are enjoying them. We both agree that our Scotland trip was the best long trip we've ever taken!

Ummm. Can you get Absorbine Jr. there for your sore leg muscles? They will be sore tomorrow, won't they?

The Merry said...

Good way to work those legs!

I prescribe a long hot bath, to be followed up with a nice long massage by a tanned, lithe chap in a kilt.

Actually, that's a good prescription even if your legs feel fine ;)

Lou said...

Fabulous pics, Theresa!! It's really beautiful over there!

Keziah Fenton said...

Wow. You make me* look like a slacker - all those hills in one day! Was there still ice cream at the top of Calton Hill?