Fire ‘spreading fast’ through Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh

| Senior science and technology reporter Published July 19, 2026 10:19pm Updated July 19, 2026 10:27pm The hill has been on fire for several hours (Picture: Tasha/@nkrytomp/X) A large fire has broken out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh as the UK battles a ‘firewave’. The blaze erupted just below Salisbury Crags, near the Palace of Holyrood House, at around 6.40pm. Multiple patches of the iconic beauty spot appear to be alight, according to photographs and video from the scene. Plumes of smoke rising from the hillside towered over the city this evening, one witness told Metro, visible as far away as Fife and Meggetland. Tasha, who filmed a video of the fire and shared it on X, said: ‘We were actually finishing up our dinner and leaving the city when we saw the smoke. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. ‘I hope it’s under control now, as it seemed to be spreading so fast when we were there.’ Officials did not specify the cause of the fire, but the Edinburgh Evening News said it was tearing through gorse, a yellow flowering shrub that covers the hillside. The fire brigade said there are no reported casualties and urged locals not to call Operations Control about the fire. The police said: ‘We are on scene supporting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with a fire in the open at Arthur’s Seat. ‘Queens Drive at the roundabout near Pollock Halls and down to Dynamic Earth is currently closed. ‘Please use alternative routes if driving in the area.’ The fire on Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano with views over Edinburgh’s Old Town, broke out in the throes of days of hot, dry weather. A five-day-long wildfire is chewing through Cairngorms National Park (Picture: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) The UK is battling what experts told Metro is a ‘firewave’, when a raft of wildfires break out near towns and cities. Wildfires happen when vegetation, like scrubland or the leaves that cover forest floors, is dried out, becoming tinder for fast-paced fires. Despite the name, the majority of wildfires are ignited because of human activity, like a flicked cigarette butt or arson. There has been a series of wildfires in the Highlands this week, including a blaze in Cairngorms National Park which has burned for five days. Six square kilometres of land have been scorched so far, with campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area being evacuated. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Cow-loving dog ‘moos’ instead of barking Arrow MORE: Car crashes off motorway bridge injuring two women Arrow MORE: Teenagers guilty of pouring petrol on restaurant diners and setting them on fire News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.