 | Edinburgh Holyrood Reviews | 1 - 10 of 74 |  |
The Palace of Holyrood House is where the Queen resides when she comes to Scotland. Lots of history to be learned during your audio tour offered in the language of your choice. I loved the history of Mary Queen of Scots and references to her secretary (Royal name for lover) Rizzio who was murdered by her jealous second husband Lord Darnley. Rizzio is said to be buried in Cannon Gate Kirk Yard. I didn't like the fact Holyrood House has a "no photographing policy" but they don't tell you untill you pay your entry fee.
The ticket prices are pretty steep too =
Adult £8.80
Concession £4.80
Opening times - check website as this is a working Palace Leave a Comment Address: HorsewyndPhone: 0131 556 5100Directions: 15 minutes walk from Waverley Station Bus 35,36 Open Top busesWebsite: www.royalcollection.org.uk
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Avoiding the building site that is the National Joke (Parliament) and the huge white tent (Dynamic Earth), you can get from the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace and Abbey.
The abbey is a lovely, romantic ruin adjoining the Palace (entrance fee covers both buildings) -- note that when the Queen is in residence, you won't be able to get in. There is a good audio tour explaining the buildings' history and a good cafe. Walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
From here you can see the hill, Arthur's Seat, preserved by royal patronage, which is well worth every effort to get up. Honestly.
Take windproof clothing, water and a picnic (get before you head off down the Royal Mile), and enjoy Edinburgh! Leave a Comment
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Rood is an old word for cross old legends tell of King David hunting in thick woods & getting into difficulties during his hunt. The King saw a vision of a stag with a cross between its antlers saving him from harm. On his safe return home King David swore he would build a Church and in 1128 he ordered the construction of Holyrood Abbey (Hollyrood the Holy Cross) Since the 15th. Century many Royal coronations and marriages have taken place here. King James V1 ordered that the Abbey was to become a Chaple for the Order of the Thistle so the congregation of the Abbey had to move to a new Church The Kirk of Canon Gate a humble parish church. The roof of the Abbey collapsed in the 18 century so what you see now is just a ruin but in my opinion a very beatiful and awe inspiring place. Leave a Comment
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At the bottom of the Royal Mile, opposite end of the old town from Edinburgh Castle, is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, built in the 16th century by James IV next to the abbey that was built by David I in the 12th century. You can still visit the ruins of the hauntingly beautiful Abbey but only the north tower of James' Palace still stands, what you see today was built by Charles II.
You can visit the Palace in about an hour, the L8.50 admission includes an audio guide that leads you through the Palace giving you a nice history on the period of time when Mary Queen of Scots was in Edinburgh and the visit of George IV, a portrait of him in highlander costume is shown in the Palace.
One of the most interesting stories of the Palace was the stabbing death of Mary Queen of Scots' Italian secretary, David Rizzio, arranged by her 2nd husband, Lord Darnley who was later also murdered, presumed to have been arranged by Mary's 3rd husband, the Earl of Bothwell perhaps with her knowledge and consent.
One of the rooms in the Palace contains some trinkets from the time of Mary Queen of Scots, of particular interest is a piece of needlework done by her featuring a cat and mouse, her cousin Elizabeth I being the cat and she the mouse. Poor Mary never did get to meet Elizabeth and plead her case, Elizabeth locked her up and was eventually persuaded to sign her death warrant.
Also of note is the largest building in the Palace, the Great Gallery which is lined with portraits done by Jacob de Wet, commissioned by the King in 1684. He was churning out something like 1 portrait a week to keep with the terms of his commission, some of the portraits are of real kings, some fictional.
In the warmer months you can also visit the gardens which were not open in January. The Palace is closed when the Queen is in residence, this is her official residence in Scotland.
If you have to choose between visiting Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle, my vote is for Edinburgh Castle, there are only a handful of rooms open for viewing in the Palace. Leave a Comment
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of the Royal Mile, in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. It was fascinating to learn that Holyroodhouse is a working palace today and the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen.
Wow what an experience I must admit. Once I had gotten over the awe of the fabulous architecture I found myself inside the beautiful palace like holyrood house!
Once you get over the amazing architecture of the palace you will be taken in. But before you are assistants standing by will offer you an audio tourguide available in SIX languages. I am glad I took them up on this offer as I was able to follow the directions of the voice and was given detailed information on how the rooms and décor relate in history. Most of which is Mary, Queen of Scots. It was great to be at the scene of her dramatic and somewhat turbulent reign. The size of her bed demonstrated how people may had been small in height in them days, and how very beautiful she was. Whilst going up some very tight spiral stairway the audio tourguide’s voice got very intense and dramatic dark music accompanied….. I got very nervous as even for someone of my small frame was struggling up those steps, in my haste as the voice was telling us of how the Queen Mary witnessed the brutal murder of her secretary, Rizzio, by her jealous hushand, I stepped on my skirt and ripped the hem!
Once my friend had got over her hysteric over my incident we were guided to an enchanting gallery of Dutch paintings from the 17th century. Luckily again, if like me you are not sure who or what you are looking at when you look at old paintings the guide will explain the main one to you. Best of all you can rewind/forward and pause the audio tourguide – what more could you want?
It helps to know a little bit about English regal history - but don't worry if you don't the tourguide will help you! Leave a Comment Address: ROYAL MILEPhone: 0131 556 5100Directions: BY TRAIN: Edinburgh Waverley - 15 min walk from station. Ticket sales number:
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Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen's official residence in Scotland.
Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closely associated with Scotland's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567.
Too much crowds visiting the Palace the day we went there, so we decided not to walk in and just stayed there enjoying the gardens. Leave a Comment
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If the Queen doesn't happen to be in town, and there are no %L[http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/12f240/
]demonstrations in the works, you might well be able to take a tour of this palace, which is at the lower end of the Royal Mile. This palace was the home of Mary, Queen of Scots from 1561 to 1567, and is now an official residence of the current queen.
I have never managed to be there when it was open, so I can't speak from personal experience, but I'm told this is one of the more interesting places to visit. Since there was no access to the grounds when I was there, I simply took a few photos through the various gates, between the bars.
Admission, which includes an audio tour, costs £ 8.50 for adults, £ 7.00 for students and those over 60 and only £ 4.50 for those under 17. There are special rates for families, and you could also get a combination ticket for the palace and the art exhibits at the adjoining Queen's Gallery. Leave a Comment
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Near the Scottish Parliament there is another controversial new building called Our Dynamic Earth, which describes itself simply as a "visitor attraction" but seems to be a modern interactive museum of the Earth Sciences.
I arrived to late to go inside, but it's on my list because I always like this sort of thing, and I'm told it is competently presented.
A bit pricey, though: £ 8.95 for adults, with lower prices for children, seniors, students, unemployed, etc,. and various offers for families.
Behind the building, which looks sort of like a large white tent, you can see the Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. The temporary fences in the foreground are intended to keep demonstrators out of the Scottish Parliament grounds. Leave a Comment
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This palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century. A visit here will inspire you to learn more about the relationship b/t Mary and Elizabeth, the intertwined history of England, France, and Scotland, and the battle b/t Protestants and Catholics during this time period. Although Elizabeth I had Mary imprisoned and later decapitated, they now lie side by side in Westminster Abbey (London).
When in Scotland, the current Queen of England resides here. Leave a Comment Address: End of Royal Mile
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I am only sorry that I didn't have enough space in my camera for more pictures of the Hollyrood House. The place is so regal and so big and yes in a funny way quite homely when you think about it occupied in the perspective of with family and friends and not tourists!
The picture shows the grandeur of the mantlepiece in one of the rooms. Leave a Comment
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