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Northfield/Willowbrae

St Anthony's Chapel Ruins

Northfield/Willowbrae

St Anthony's Chapel Ruins

Highlight • Religious Site

St Anthony's Chapel Ruins

Recommended by 68 hikers out of 72

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Location: Northfield/Willowbrae, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to St Anthony's Chapel Ruins

4.6

(135)

1,526

hikers

1. Palace of Holyroodhouse – St. Anthony's Chapel Ruins loop from Edinburgh Waverley

7.50km

02:28

290m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.9

(40)

667

hikers

2. Palace of Holyroodhouse – St. Anthony's Chapel Ruins loop from Abbeyhill

6.60km

02:05

210m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.8

(79)

538

hikers

3. Arthur's Seat – View of Edinburgh loop from Edinburgh Waverley

8.18km

02:44

290m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

Tips

Aaron

January 22, 2025

The ruins of St Anthony's Chapel on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh are a fascinating relic from the late Middle Ages. Built in the 15th century, probably around 1400, as part of a pilgrimage centre, the chapel was dedicated to St Anthony of Padua. At the time, Arthur's Seat was a major pilgrimage site and the chapel served as a spiritual stop for believers stopping by on their pilgrimage.

As well as being a place of worship, the chapel housed a collection of relics that promised pilgrims sacred experiences. Its architecture was simple but functional and it was built from local stone, blending it into the landscape of the hill.

Over the centuries, however, the chapel lost importance and in the 16th century it was abandoned during the Reformation. Today, all that remains are the ruins of the chapel, which sits in a stunning location high on Arthur's Seat. The ruin is a popular destination for hikers and photographers who want to not only explore the historic site but also enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of Edinburgh and the surrounding hills.

The St. Anthony Chapel ruins are accessible by a walking trail that takes visitors on a little journey of discovery. The climb to the top of Arthur's Seat offers not only a view of the ruins themselves but also of the vast, rolling terrain that underlines the historical significance of this site. Today the ruins are a fascinating monument to Edinburgh's history and a silent witness to past religious practices.

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Elevation 130 m

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Wednesday 22 October

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Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Northfield/Willowbrae, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

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St Anthony's Chapel Ruins

1. Palace of Holyroodhouse – St. Anthony's Chapel Ruins loop from Edinburgh Waverley

2. Palace of Holyroodhouse – St. Anthony's Chapel Ruins loop from Abbeyhill

3. Arthur's Seat – View of Edinburgh loop from Edinburgh Waverley

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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