Why Holyroodhouse is a favourite Edinburgh attraction
Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse is the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh. It sits at the bottom of the Royal Mile, the mile long street that links it to the other royal establishment -- Edinburgh Castle. It's no surprise then that the new Scottish Parliament was built in such distinguished company.

Founded as a monastery in 1128, Holyrood Palace has witnessed some of the most dramatic episodes in Scottish History. One famous face linked to Holyrood Palace is that of Mary Queen of Scots.

Mary Queen of Scots married the Dauphin of France (heir to the throne) at 15 and became a widow at 19. She returned to Scotland and was crowned at Holyrood Palace as the Queen of Scots. Dramatic events unfolded within the walls of Holyrood including the stabbing of her Italian secretary David Rizzio.

The apartments of Mary Queen of Scots at Holyrood including the spot where Rizzio was stabbed 57 times are open to visitors. The Palace at Holyrood is of elegant design. In the main court there is a copy of the ornamental stone fountain in Linlithgow Palace.

Holyrood Palace has known some distressful times after the Union of England and Scotland. Reconstruction had to be carried out several times and court hadn't been held at the Palace by a monarch for some 170 years before George IV had finally done so.

Holyrood Abbey
Holyrood Abbey is now a ruin with a history that spans 800 years. The Abbey witnessed many royal events -- weddings, births, crown ceremonies and funerals. Restored in 1758, Holyrood Abbey became a ruin once more when the stone roof collapsed due to a hurricane and has been like that ever since.

Address, Contact information

Royal Mile

Edinburgh

EH8 8DX

Official website: Holyrood Palace - The Royal Collection

Opening times

The Palace of Holyrood House is open daily but is closed on the following dates:

19 June - 8 July, 25 - 29 July , 25 and 26 December and during any Royal Visits

Holyrood Palace is open:

April - October: 9.30am-6.00pm

November - March: 10am-4.30pm

Things to remember when visiting Holyrood Palace:

?You can buy your ticket online from the Royal Collection Website or on the day of your visit from the Ticket Office outside the Palace.

?A souvenir shop is available where you can purchase items related to the Royal Family. A guidebook to Holyroodhouse is available although it includes mainly information about the Royal Family rather than the Palace itself.

?Photography is not permitted inside Holyrood Palace although postcards illustrating the interior are available.

?When visiting Holyrood Palace you can choose to use the free audio guide which is included in the price. The audio guide gives a very comprehensive and detailed presentation of the Palace and its history.

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