Fire crews rushed to Arthur’s Seat on Wednesday after a blaze broke out on the iconic Edinburgh landmark, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing high into the sky above the city.
Locals watching from across Edinburgh reported seeing the smoke rising dramatically over the ancient volcanic hill, with many taking to social media to share photos and videos of the scene. The images showed dark clouds of smoke drifting across the skyline, turning heads across the capital.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were scrambled to tackle the fire on the hillside, which sits at the heart of Holyrood Park right in the middle of the city. The park, managed by Historic Environment Scotland, is one of the most visited outdoor spaces in the country and attracts thousands of walkers, tourists and locals every single week.
Arthur’s Seat stands at around 251 metres and is the remains of a volcano that last erupted roughly 350 million years ago. The grassy and rocky slopes that cover the hill can become tinder dry during warmer or windier spells, making them vulnerable to wildfires, particularly as spring and summer roll in.
This is not the first time the landmark has been hit by fire. The hillside has seen several blazes over the years, with dry vegetation and warm temperatures often combining to create dangerous conditions. Campaigners and park rangers have previously warned about the risk of fires spreading quickly across the slopes, especially during prolonged dry periods.
Firefighters faced a tough job getting to grips with the blaze given the steep and uneven terrain across much of Arthur’s Seat. Accessing remote parts of the hill with equipment is no easy task, and crews often have to work on foot across rough ground to reach the heart of a fire.
Holyrood Park was likely affected by the incident, with visitors potentially asked to stay clear of certain areas while the operation was ongoing. The park is a popular spot for morning joggers, dog walkers and tourists hoping to take in the famous views across Edinburgh and beyond.
The cause of the fire had not been confirmed at the time of reports, though fires on hillsides and open land are often linked to discarded cigarettes, disposable barbecues or in some cases deliberate acts. Fire services across Scotland have repeatedly urged the public to avoid using disposable barbecues in parks and open countryside, warning that even a small flame can quickly spiral out of control on dry grassland.
Scottish Fire and Rescue has been dealing with a rising number of wildfires and vegetation fires in recent years, with climate patterns bringing drier and warmer conditions to parts of Scotland more frequently. The service has called for greater public awareness around fire safety in outdoor spaces, particularly during the spring months when ground vegetation is dry after winter but before the summer growth kicks in.
Authorities were continuing to monitor the situation as crews worked to bring the fire under control.