Major Blaze Erupts on Edinburgh’s Iconic Arthur’s Seat

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On Sunday, 10 August 2025, a significant wildfire broke out on Arthur’s Seat, a prominent landmark in Edinburgh, with flames and thick smoke visible across the city. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responded promptly, deploying crews to tackle the blaze, which has disrupted the popular tourist and local destination in Holyrood Park. The cause remains unknown, and while no casualties have been reported, the incident has raised concerns about safety during a busy festival season.

The SFRS was alerted to the fire at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, with reports indicating that it was affecting a large area of gorse, a type of flammable shrub common in the region. According to an SFRS spokesperson, “Operations control mobilised four fire appliances and specialist resources to the area where firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting a large area of gorse.” The service confirmed that crews remained at the scene into the evening, with no casualties reported at the time. The spokesperson added, “Members of the public no longer need to alert our operations control room about this fire, as we are receiving a number of calls about this incident”.

Arthur’s Seat, located in Holyrood Park near Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, is a cherished destination for both residents and visitors. Rising approximately 250 metres above sea level, the extinct volcano offers panoramic views of the city, making it a popular spot for hikers and tourists. The blaze, with its bright orange flames and plumes of black smoke, was visible from miles away, causing alarm among onlookers. An eyewitness told Edinburgh Live, “There is a major wildfire on Arthur’s Seat which is spreading rapidly. People are running down the face of the hill to get away from it and smoke is spreading really fast”. Police Scotland advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area to ensure safety and facilitate emergency operations.

The timing of the fire is particularly notable, as Edinburgh is currently bustling with activity due to the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. The city has also seen an influx of visitors for Oasis’s reunion concerts at Murrayfield Stadium over the weekend, adding to the strain on local resources. The SFRS’s swift response highlights the urgency of containing the blaze to protect both the public and the iconic landscape, especially given the increased foot traffic in the area during this peak season.

This is not the first wildfire to affect Scotland this summer. In July, parts of northern Scotland experienced wildfires on a “vast scale” that burnt for days, prompting police investigations. The cause of the Arthur’s Seat fire remains under investigation, with no official statement yet on whether it was accidental or deliberate. The incident underscores the challenges of managing wildfires in popular and ecologically sensitive areas, particularly during dry conditions.

As firefighters continue their efforts to control the blaze, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and preserving Arthur’s Seat, a symbol of Edinburgh’s natural and cultural heritage. Authorities are urging the public to stay clear of Holyrood Park while emergency operations are underway, with updates expected as the situation develops.