Arthur's Seat chosen for '˜lowliest' space on new Edinburgh Monopoly board

ONE OF Edinburgh's best known natural landmarks, Arthur's Seat, will fill the lowliest space on a new Monopoly board promoting the Capital, it was announced yesterday.

Arthur's Seat succeeds the Shore Road from the original Capital Monopoly.

The 822ft peak, in the city’s Holyrood Park, will replace the original Old Kent Road on the board to be produced later this year.

The game’s makers had previously admitted they were struggling to find an option for the £60 Old Kent Road square – because it was felt the capital was “too posh” for an equivalent.

Winning Moves UK – makers of the board under official license from Monopoly owners Hasbro – sifted through dozens of suggestions for the board but found a dearth of nominations for the “Old Kent Road” spot that commands the lowest rental returns in the game.

They said Arthur’s Seat was a perfect fit because it keeps with the “old” theme of the iconic space.

The landmark, made from ancient volcanic rock, is the first property spot to be announced on the board.

A spokesman for Winning Moves UK said they found it easier to find locations for the most expensive spaces on the board.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce that Arthur’s Seat is landing on the Old Kent Road spot on the new Edinburgh board.

“We had lots of suggestions for the top ranked Mayfair and Park Lane locations, but at one point we were asking ourselves whether Edinburgh was too posh to have an Old Kent Road equivalent.

“The landmarks that will be filling this board are crown jewels.

“Edinburgh is a world renowned city blessed with the most wonderful choices – from Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House to the Scottish Parliament building.

“The more modest section proved more of a challenge but we feel Arthur’s Seat is the perfect fit for Old Kent Road.

“It’s the most modest space on the board, but iconic in its own right.

“We are very proud and protective of the Old Kent Road space.

READM MORE: Edinburgh branded ‘too posh’ for Monopoly’s Old Kent Road

Monopoly players love this particular property,” he added.

The new Edinburgh Monopoly will mark 20 years since the Scottish capital became the first UK city outside London to get its own board. Shore Road in Leith was in the Old Kent Road square in the original 1998 version.

The Edinburgh Evening News and Scotsman are also due to appear on the revamped version of the classic game.

Other Capital landmarks likely to feature on the new board include Princes Street and The Royal Mile.

For the first time in Scotland, the six playing pieces will also be customised.

Edinburgh’s most famous Skye terrier Greyfriars Bobby looks set to replace the traditional Scottie dog while Edinburgh Zoo’s penguins and medieval canon Mons Meg, and former Bond actor Sir Sean Connery are among other possibilities.