The ancient city of Edinburgh nestles among the rocky crags of extinct volcanoes.  The castle sits atop one of them.  The other most prominent crag is known as Arthur’s Seat and it rises above the city some 800+ feet.  Its name colorfully evokes Arthurian legend but the origin is actually unknown.  It could also be a corruption of “archers’ seat”.

Wherever the name comes from, the hill is there — and so we climbed it!  The weather was clear and cold as could be.  Amy, Justin, and I started out together but split just before the final summit.  The trail was frozen and extremely slippery and Amy decided she didn’t want to take the chance of being swept off the hillside by a falling Japanese tourist wearing dainty pumps.  Justin and I, on the other hand, took our chances and were rewarded with a terrific view of the city and the Firth of Forth.