🧭 What you’ll learn today

In this lesson, you’ll read a short personal description written by one of our students, Fumi from Japan, after her first walk to Arthur’s Seat. You’ll learn vocabulary to describe outdoor experiences and practise writing about your own outdoor adventures..

📖 Reading: Fumi’s walk to Arthur’s Seat

Some people say Edinburgh has a mountain in the middle.

It’s not a real mountain — but when you walk up Arthur’s Seat, it certainly feels like one.

The path begins in Holyrood Park, near the bottom of the Royal Mile. From there, you can choose different ways to the top — steep, gentle, rocky or smooth. On a clear day, you’ll see walkers, runners, families and friends climbing together. There are always people stopping for breath… and for photos.

I remember my first walk there. It was a windy morning in early spring. The sky was bright, but the ground was muddy. I slipped twice on the way up. But when I reached the top, I forgot everything. Edinburgh opened up below me — the castle, the sea, the hills in the distance. I felt tired, happy and very alive.

— Fumi, student from Japan

✅ Vocabulary support

steep

going up quickly at a sharp angle

muddy

wet, soft ground that sticks to your shoes

to slip

to lose your balance and fall or nearly fall

to stop for breath

to pause because you are tired

Arthur's Seat

🗺️ Cultural tip:

Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano in the middle of Edinburgh. It’s part of Holyrood Park, a large natural area next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The highest point is about 251 metres. People climb it for exercise, for fun or just for the view — and no special equipment is needed apart from comfortable shoes like trainers.

📝 Writing prompt

Think about a time you walked somewhere outdoors — a hill, a forest, a beach or a park.

Use these questions to help you write a short paragraph (5–7 sentences):

  • Where did you go and who were you with?
  • What was the weather like?
  • Was the walk easy or difficult?
  • How did you feel at the end?

Try to use at least two words from the vocabulary box.

Arthur's Seat & Salisbury Crags

📝 Before you watch the following video.

Can you guess…

  • What kind of people visit Arthur’s Seat?
  • Why do people go there?

Tick ✅ the things you see in the video:

Watch: A new future for Edinburgh's Holyrood Park – real views and Scottish history

💬 After watching: Answer in your notebook or discuss with a partner.

  • 1. What do you remember about the history of Arthur’s Seat?
  • 2. What activities do the people of Edinburgh do there?
  • 3. Would you like to go there? Why or why not?

🎓 Study with ECS Scotland

Would you like to practise English while exploring places like Arthur’s Seat?

Our Experience Edinburgh course includes language learning, local walks and real communication in Scotland’s capital.

Find out more

Click Here