Those expecting to find a seat, or any seating for that matter, atop the dead volcano that is Arthur’s Seat, will be quickly disappointed. Just like most hiking spots in Scotland, visitors should not expect cafes, restaurants, toilet facilities or seats on most mountains. However, it appears some people have been genuinely expecting to find a seat atop Arthur’s Seat, and as a result, left one-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
Of course, it would be rude not to look into these reviews and share them with you for all to explore. One person wrote in their bad review: “I was most discouraged after spending an hour climbing up this big hill that it was completely absent of seating facilities.
I think that the council should consider renaming this hill to something which might not find them in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Act. I would not return until something is done about the seating. Also, no shop or bars at the top. Pointless.”
Another said: “Awful! I went up here for nice relaxing sit-down, and not a seat in sight! Awful! Not even a goddamn deckchair. I’m never climbing up a mountain to just be left chairless and embarrassed!”
The reviews keep going: “Not a chair in sight – had to sit on the grass, and was left with an unsightly wet patch so it looked like I had soiled myself.”
At least this one is not too bad: “Interesting geographical lump but I could not find any seat to sit on and that disappointed me because I thought that there would be a seat.”, while another person mirrored th sentiment, by saying: “There’s nowhere to sit when you get to the top. No seats! Not even a park bench or a milking stool!”
Where does Arthur’s Seat get its name?
Now, one might wonder: why is the mountain called Arthur’s Seat? To some people’s surprise, King Arthur has never visited Arthur’s Seat. The name is thought to have come from a Scots Gaelic phrase Ard-na-Said, meaning “Height of the Arrows”.