A beauty spot in a Scottish city has been named the country’s “best place to watch sunset”.
Scotland’s landscapes are stunning no matter what time of day, but it is hard to argue that they are especially spectacular when the sun goes down. With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, there is also nothing more romantic than watching the sun go down over the horizon.
Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts recently shared a list of the “top 10 places in the UK to drive to and watch the sunset”. Coming in at number nine, and the only Scottish destination to feature, is Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
An ancient extinct volcano situated in the heart of the city, Arthur’s Seat is one of the Scottish capital’s most recognisable landmarks. From its peak, it offers sweeping views out across Edinburgh.
Sitting 251 metres above sea level, the walk up to the top of Arthur’s Seat and then back down should take between one and two hours. It is a popular hike, though still feels like an escape from the noise and chaos of the city.
As well as Edinburgh’s skyline, you will be able to see out across the surrounding countryside and over the Firth of Forth from the summit. Bathed in orange and gold hues, the views at sunset are indescribable.
Meanwhile, from the base of Arthur’s Seat, it is just a short walk to other beauty spots such as St Anthony’s Chapel and Duddingston Loch. The historic village of Duddingston is also easily accessible, which is home to the famous Sheep Heid Inn pub and restaurant.
Meanwhile, topping the list as the number one destination in the UK to watch the sunset is Sandbanks Beach in Dorset. The experts named it as “one of the best beaches in Britain”, and praised it for having “plenty of parking options”.
Nationwide Vehicle Contracts commented: “Planning a sunset date at locations with less chance of rainy days is a crucial tip for watching the sunset clearly and comfortably. With less risk of precipitation, this allows for clearer skies and less chance of clouds blocking your view.
“Valentine’s dates could be unsuccessful (and you’d get rather wet!) if you travel to a location with high rainfall due to clouds and poor visibility, so here are the best destinations in the UK to watch the sunset in all its glory.”
The experts also shared some tips when heading out to give you the best chance of catching a good sunset. They suggest making sure your sunset viewing spot is secure and parking options are available and ensuring you have torches, lights, and other equipment to make the journey back to your car safe.
The full list of the best places in the UK to watch a sunset can be found on the Nationwide Vehicle Contracts website.
The top ten places to watch the sunset in the UK
- Sandbanks Beach, Dorset
- Spurn Point, East Yorkshire
- Ness Point, Suffolk
- Seven Sister, Sussex
- Zennor Head, Cornwall
- Macclesfield Forest, Chesire/Peak District
- Gower Peninsula, Glamorgan
- Mam Tor, Derbyshire/Peak District
- Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
- Stonehenge, Wiltshire
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