Tourists flee huge wildfire breaking out at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh

People have fled a huge wildfire engulfing a famous tourist hotspot overlooking Edinburgh.

Smoke can be seen billowing for miles across the Scottish city after the fire broke out on Sunday at 4pm.

A witness 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.’

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We have three appliances and specialist services in attendance.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services are responding to a fire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area.’

Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano and the main peak of the hills in Holyrood Park, right next to Edinburgh’s city center.

There have been at least six fires in areas around the 251 meter high Arthur’s Seat since 2018.