The palace where the Crown stays in Edinburgh
At the eastern end of the Royal Mile, facing Edinburgh Castle which anchors the opposite end of the thoroughfare, the Palace of Holyroodhouse backs up against the ruins of a medieval abbey. It serves as the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
Behind its baroque facade lies a site born nearly nine centuries earlier: an Augustinian abbey founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, according to tradition after experiencing a vision of a stag bearing a luminous cross between its antlers.
Why visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The current palace is the result of multiple building phases. Between 1501 and 1504, James IV had an initial Gothic palace built against the monastery, likely tied to his marriage to Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, celebrated in 1503. James V later expanded the residence with a massive tower in 1528, followed by a new west facade starting in 1535.
The building visitors tour today actually dates back to the reign of Charles II, as this baroque palace was constructed between 1671 and 1678 during the restoration of the monarchy. The site had previously experienced occupation by Oliver Cromwell's soldiers during the Civil War, who left it damaged.
Mary, Queen of Scots' apartments
The palace was the primary residence of Mary, Queen of Scots between 1561 and 1567. Her bedchamber, frequently cited as one of the most famous rooms in Scotland, remains open to visitors. Within these walls she witnessed the murder of her private secretary, David Rizzio, killed by a group of nobles led by her own husband, Lord Darnley.
The tour also leads to the Great Gallery, where tradition places the lavish balls hosted by Bonnie Prince Charlie during the establishment of his Jacobite court.
The abbey, the garden, and the nearby gallery
The stone ruins of Holyrood Abbey, adjoining the palace, are included in standard admission. The palace gardens, a landscaped park featuring formal layouts, hosted Scotland's first medicinal botanic garden in the seventeenth century, which later inspired the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Just steps away, the King's Gallery hosts temporary exhibitions drawn from the Royal Collection.
Insider tip: The palace closes to visitors when the monarch is in residence and during certain official events, with closures occasionally announced at short notice. It is best to check availability right before you go.
Opening hours
April to October: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
November to March: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Additional closures may occur when the palace hosts royal events.
How long for this activity
Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours to tour the entire estate.
*Information subject to change
