Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets Edinburgh

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament, at the edge of Holyrood Park. It began as a guesthouse of the abbey founded by King David I in 1128 and grew into a royal palace, and it remains the King's official residence in Scotland. Anyone planning a visit to Holyroodhouse will find it a very different experience from Edinburgh Castle: elegant rather than military.

The palace is still used for state ceremonies and royal engagements, so some rooms may close at short notice, and it closes to visitors when the royal family is in residence. Check the dates and times on the booking panel when you plan your day.

The State Apartments and the Great Gallery

The State Apartments, built in the 17th century in the baroque style, are still used for official ceremonies. They contain fine plasterwork ceilings, Brussels tapestries and paintings, and rooms such as the Throne Room. A one-way route inside the palace guides you through, with your multimedia guide explaining each space.

The Great Gallery, the largest room in the palace, is lined with portraits of real and legendary Scottish kings painted by Jacob de Wet. Here, Scottish residents named in the Honours Lists receive their awards at investiture ceremonies. It is worth pausing here to take in the scale of the room and the detail of the ceilings above you.

Mary Queen of Scots' chambers

The historic chambers of Mary Queen of Scots, in the oldest surviving part of the palace, are among the best-known rooms in Scotland. In 1566, Mary witnessed the brutal murder of her secretary, David Rizzio, in these rooms, an event that shaped her reign.

Your multimedia guide tells the story with context, and the small rooms and original decoration make history feel close. It is the moment when many visitors say that the visit came to life. Photography is restricted in the state rooms, so the guide is your best souvenir of this part of the visit.

Holyrood Abbey, the gardens and getting there

Beside the palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, founded in 1128, with graceful arches open to the sky. The gardens, when open, offer a peaceful walk, and the Café at the Palace serves drinks and light lunches at your own expense at the end of your visit.

Getting to Holyroodhouse is easy: walk down the Royal Mile from the castle in about 20 minutes, or take a bus to the Scottish Parliament stop. Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park are right behind, so combine the visit with a walk. Phones must be switched off inside the palace.