Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh - Go to Scotland.com

How about a visit to one of the British royal family’s castles? The Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh is indeed part of the monarchy’s heritage and remains an iconic building in the Scottish city. Open to visitors when the royal family is not staying there, Holyrood is steeped in centuries of history and tradition. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a unique experience, a visit is well worth it and will teach you more about Scotland’s history!

History of the Palace of Holyrood

An official residence of the Windsor family

The Palace of Holyrood was built in the early 16th century during the reign of James IV. It was originally used as a reception area for royal visitors. Today, the site is the official residence of the King of Scotland and hosts many national events.

The palace has been in use for over 600 years, but the current structure is the result of various renovations and additions since the 16th century.

The original palace was built during the reign of David I (1124-1153), who is believed to have chosen the site because of his connection to the early Christian king and saint, Edward the Confessor.

The palace remained in use as a residence for the kings of Scotland and their families until the 16th century, when it became one of Edinburgh’s principal royal residences and was extensively remodeled.

It remained a royal residence until the 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603) claimed the Scottish throne and began using the palace as her residence.

Since then, the palace has been used by the Windsor family, including several visits by Elizabeth II during her Scottish escapades.

Visit the Palace of Holyrood

Features of the Palace of Holyrood

The Palace of Holyrood is located on the north-eastern edge of Edinburgh’s Old Town, overlooking the River Thames and the gardens of Holyrood Park. It has the advantage of being open to the public, with the exception of certain periods when the royal family decides to take up residence there.

The palace consists of different parts including:

The Queen’s Apartments:

The Queen’s Apartments at Holyrood Palace were given to Queen Victoria by the people of Scotland in 1844 in gratitude for her efforts to improve the health and welfare of the people of Scotland.

The apartments include:

a diaper room: decorated in blue, the color of mourning in Victorian times,
a presence chamber, with red silk wallpaper and an ornate fireplace,
and the throne room, where the queen received her guests.

The King’s Apartments:

The King’s Apartments are the oldest part of Holyrood Palace, dating back to the late 15th century. The apartments include:

a bedroom, with a fireplace and two windows that were built in the 15th century,
a presence chamber, with a fireplace decorated with the royal arms of Scotland, England and France; the arms of James II; the arms of Mary, Queen of Scots; and the arms of George III.
and the kitchen, which served as a meeting place for Scottish nobles during the Scottish wars of independence (1296-1357). The King’s Kitchen retains much of its original stonework.

The Royal Gardens

Don’t miss the royal gardens either. They were created in the early 16th century by King James IV and completed by his successor, King James V. The gardens were restored in the 1840s by Queen Victoria, who built the current Victorian conservatory.

The gardens contain a menagerie of plants, including a grove of trees planted in the 13th century and a collection of roses dating from 1744.