Corstorphine Hill

Much like another European capital, much of Edinburgh is built upon seven distinct hills that give the city its unique topography. One of the shortest of these hills – standing just 161 metres high – is Corstorphine Hill, which rises up through the western area of the capital. The short height and accessible route belie views that rival hills double the size, as walkers reaching the summit of Corstorphine Hill can gaze over much of the rolling architectures of Edinburgh. It’s for this reason, however, that the close-knit tree cover comes as a blessing and a curse. Although they shield walkers from the frequently drizzly Scottish climate, they also make hunting for viewing points quite a challenge.

Once navigated through the obscuring trees, Corstorphine Hill is also deceptively featureful. For example, tucked away near the summit stands another, less natural shaft – The Tower, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2022, was built in memorial to Sir Walter Scott. Frequent repairs and a recent handing over to public ownership has meant that the Tower is in remarkably good condition, and visitors during the summer months can admire the panoramic views from atop its battlements.

How to get there

There are several entrances to Corstorphine Hill throughout the area, making it one of the more accessible walking routes in the country. Most commonly accessed is the southern entrance at the top of Balgreen Road, which can be reached by the 12, 26, or 31 buses. If driving, it may be easier to come from the west, as the Kaimes Road entrance has a conveniently located carpark.