Edinburgh's Royal Palace
Holyroodhouse: Queen Elizabeth's Official Residence in Scotland
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and once home to Mary Queen of Scots, is still the official Scottish residence of Britain's monarch
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, which stands proudly at the eastern end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, is the official Scottish residence of Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. From Holyroodhouse the Royal Mile leads upwards until it reaches, at the opposite end, Edinburgh Castle. It is a royal route that many visitors to Edinburgh take, as Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are two of the Scottish city's top tourist attractions.
Holyroodhouse is used for state functions and is where members of the royal family stay when visiting Edinburgh. It is open to the public when the royals are not at home, so if planning a special visit it's best to check that the palace is open, in case Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles might have beaten you to it.
THE HISTORY OF HOLYROODHOUSE
The palace was built on the grounds of the Abbey of Holy Rood during the reign of James V in the 16th century. In 1566 one of the most memorable incidents in its history took place, when David Rizzio, the secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered. The palace tower includes a visit to the room where this brutal murder took place, as well as to the bedchamber of Mary, Queen of Scots, to other Royal Apartments and to the State Apartments.
THE GROUNDS OF HOLYROODHOUSE
The adjoining 12th-century abbey burned down in 1650, but you can wander among the atmospheric ruins and into the beautiful gardens behind Holyroodhouse. If you're feeling energetic, you can climb 237 metres (823 feet) to the top of Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano and the city's highest hill with excellent views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. Arthur's Seat towers over the old royal hunting ground of adjacent Holyrood Park. In front of the palace, the Queen's Gallery displays changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
VISITING HOLYROODHOUSE
Holyroodhouse is open daily except during royal visits and other state occasions. Check the website for further details on opening hours and admission prices. Tours are self-guided using an excellent audio-guide, including comments by Prince Charles.
Find out more and visit the official website by clicking here.
Read the Edinburgh Castle Visitor's Guide here.
Read about one of the unusual current exhibitions at the Queen's Gallery by clicking here.
