Samson's Ribs

Explorer Tom Wells o' Wearie is currently in a dramatic standoff with the nearest tree, which seems to be winning the argument over who gets more sunlight. It’s a spring that sounds like something you’d find in a fantasy novel where the hero has terrible taste in names. The water might be cold, but the story behind it is definitely warmer and much weirder. Bring someone who'll believ

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Holyrood Park, Wells O' Wearie Cottage is a 19th-century estate cottage that the local sheep have voted as their favorite hiding spot from the rain. It’s tucked away in the park where it probably feels like the only thing keeping the trees upright is its sheer stubbornness. The name suggests someone was tired of wearing things, and I respect the honesty. Wave at the cows, they're the re

Explorer Tom Raven's Rock claims there’s a shortcut through here that saves ten minutes, but it’s actually just a very long way round with no views at all. You end up back where you started anyway. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Sunlit hill above St Leonards has strict rules for visitors: no running, no shouting, and no wearing bright yellow hats. It likes its sunlight to itself and gets quite grumpy if you try to share it with too many people at once. Make up your own legend about why the sun only shines here, and I’ll swear it’s true.

Explorer Tom The Nether Hill in Edinburgh is basically the sheep's personal grudge-keeper. They think it’s too steep to be worth the effort, so they just graze around the base and judge us from below. It’s got that 'I’m not a mountain, I’m a challenge' vibe going on. The locals probably think it’s a bit of a nuisance for being in the way. Stand back, squint

Explorer Tom Arthur’s Seat has a bronze age arrowhead that thinks its name really means 'Where Arthur Sat Down and Regretted Everything Immediately.' It’s a huge hill with a tiny point of history hiding in the middle, waiting for someone to trip over it. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Holyrood Park is recorded as 'No Class (event),' which is like saying a mountain is just a 'vibe.' It holds a fake world record for being the most photographed pile of rocks in Scotland, purely because everyone thinks they’re about to find Arthur’s Seat. The whole park feels like it’s waiting for someone to finally explain what an 'event' even means in this context. Have a nosey

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Holyrood Park Road, Pollock Halls of Residence, Turner House is haunted by a fiddler who played all night long because he forgot his stop button and couldn't figure out how to quit gracefully. It’s just a modern hall now, but the sound of that endless jig still echoes in the corridors whenever you think no one is listening. Tell

Explorer Tom Arthur's Seat from Whinny Hill looks like a celebrity who’s had one too many red carpets. It’s the main event, sure, but standing here makes it look a bit less imposing. I think a poet fell in the ditch nearby and wrote about it, which is probably why people love it so much. It’s just a hill that got lucky with its PR team. Get a photo

Explorer Tom Crow Hill in City of Edinburgh is secretly proud of one specific potato growing on its slope. It doesn't care about the crows; it cares about that spud. The wind up there is cold enough to make you question your life decisions. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park is hiding a hero nobody remembers who saved the whole hill from being turned into a car park decades ago! This place has more secrets than a cat and half as much patience for slow walkers. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Kaim Head, Holyrood Park has a secret it would tell after a few pints, probably something about the time it decided to be a mountain and then changed its mind halfway through the climb. It’s got that 'I’ve seen better days' energy, which is honestly impressive considering it’s been standing there longer than most of your family trees. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show