The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, in its exceptional setting at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, has played a central role in Scotland’s history ever since its foundation by King David I of Scotland nearly 900 years ago. Rebuilt by James V of Scotland, it was to become the home of his daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the scene for many of the most dramatic and tragic events of her reign, culminating in the murder in the palace of her secretary, David Rizzio.

Rebuilt again by Charles II after the Civil War, the palace became a showplace of baroque architecture and interior decoration. It was the Edinburgh headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, a refuge after the French Revolution of 1789 for the future Charles X of France, and from the time of the visit of George IV in 1822 onwards, one of the foremost attractions in the Scottish capital.

Today visitors are drawn to the Palace as much for its association with Scotland’s past as for its role as The Queen’s official home in Edinburgh. The palace also houses a significant part of the Royal Collection, with paintings and works of art on display both within the palace and in the Queen’s Gallery.

This fully illustrated guide includes an introduction to its fascinating history, a plan of the palace, and a tour through the state rooms, including Charles II’s splendid baroque interiors and the hauntingly atmospheric chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots—scene of the famous murder.