Sunrise and sunset on Equilux on Arthur's Seat- Part 1 Sunrise

Caveat: This event will be cancelled if the weather forecast for Friday morning predicts >60% rain and /or overcast sky. Decision will be made on Thursday 24 September after 8PM and those on the list will be informed (no news are good news!)

Join me for a special Arthur’s Seat experience on 25 September 2026. We will celebrate Equilux which is not on the same day as the astronomic Equinox. at the equinox the centre of the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading southwards, marking the astronomical beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere. While "equinox" means "equal night," day and night are not precisely 12 hours long on this exact date due to atmospheric refraction and how sunrise and sunset are measured. Closer to 12 hours of equal light/dark (the equilux) occurs a few days later, on 25 September 2026. Our ancestors which were the much better nature observers than we are, realised that at Equilux when you are on top of Arthur’s Seat the sun rises exactly over Traprain Law (near East Linton) at 7.04 AM and sun set will be exact 12 hour later at 7.04 PM and exactly over Cairnpapple in West Lothian. You may make now an educated guess why all three hills are of eminent archaeological interest. When you check the map and draw a line from Traprain Law to Cairnpapple you will find Arthur’s Seat on that line. The line is practically horizontal, at equinox/equilux the angle between sunrise and sunset from a fixed point is about 180 deg. (at 90 and 270 deg).
There will be two separate events, one for sunrise and one for sunset, you can sign up for both if your stamina allows you two ascents the same day.
Some of you might remember that we did a similar exercise 7 years ago at Summer Solstice

For sunrise we meet at 6 AM sharp at the black kiosk at Holyrood car park and go straight up to the top to catch the dawn twilight colours breaking over the Firth of Forth, and be ready for the sunrise at 7.04 AM, late arrivals have to find their way up alone, unfortunately the sun is not very time tolerant in spite of its kindness….
Beside all the usual utensils you take with you on a hike, you might want to bring a torch with you if you feel it is too dark around 6 AM.
We will be back at the car park something after 8 AM, depending on the beauty of the event

Just a reminder:

If you sign up and you get a spot you show up!
Out of courtesy, be sure to change your RSVP or let me know if you can't make it along (as early as you can).
You only have 3 (three) "no shows" with me: the first, the only and the last one!
Walking can pose a danger of personal injury, and all participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions, involvement and enjoyment.
Participants are also responsible for ensuring that their walking gear is suitable for the nature of the walk and the prevailing weather conditions (which participants are responsible for checking) and for bringing adequate food and water supplies.
By signing up for this walk, you are confirming that you have fully read, understood and accepted the foregoing and the following caveats, including that all participants join this