Palace of Holyroodhouse. Fourth Edinburgh Walk (Canongate and Holyroodhouse Palace) The Queen's Official Residence in Scotland
We started our next walk around Edinburgh from the Royal Mile street closest to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, called Canongate.
Canongate appeared when Holyrood Abbey was founded in Edinburgh, and the surrounding territories were given over for settlement by canon monks. Since the 12th century, Canongate was a free city, bordering Edinburgh, and only in the middle of the 19th century did they unite. Before this, there was a huge gate on the border through which one could enter Edinburgh. In the last century, Canongate was greatly modernized, old houses were renovated.
Now it houses many educational institutions, the Edinburgh Museum, and government buildings.
We see an unusual building with a clock tower - this is Tolbus. It was built at the end of the 16th century and housed all city services: the city council, the tax office and the prison. In Edinburgh they have always believed in witches and sorcerers, and they paid special attention to protection from witchcraft and the evil eye. In some courtyards, mountain ash was specially planted, which was considered a tree that protected against evil spirits.
On Tolbus, on one side we see sinks on the walls. They were also considered a talisman against witches. The townspeople believed that witches were afraid of water, and shells were precisely a symbol of the water element. Currently, the Tolbus building houses a museum of folk life, where you can see how the residents of Canongate lived, worked and rested since the 18th century.
Just behind Tolbus, among the flowering trees, we see Canongate Church.
At the very end of the street is the modern Scottish Parliament building. It is known that after the unification of England and Scotland, the UK Parliament began to govern the kingdom. However, all these years the Scots actively advocated for the creation of their own representative body. And so at the end of the 90s. last century they were finally allowed to do this. Next, they began to choose a location for a new government building.
As a result, it appeared on a site near the Old Town and Holyrood Palace. The complex of modern buildings fits seamlessly into the old buildings. The author of the project was a Catalan architect; it is not for nothing that the smooth lines are reminiscent of the works of Gaudi in Barcelona. However, the colors and materials used were calmer; as a result, the complex of buildings resembles a ship in outline. A cozy square with benches for relaxation was laid out in front of the parliament. We later learned that any visitor can tour the building for free, and tours are organized for groups at certain times.
Against modern building Holyroodhouse Palace, which is the Queen's residence in Scotland, is located next to Parliament; in the summer, she always stays here for at least a week and holds various receptions.
According to legend, King David I of Scotland met an angry deer while hunting, which tried to attack him. Then, as if by magic, a luminous cross appeared between its horns and the animal disappeared. The king in honor of his miraculous salvation founded Holyrood Abbey, dedicated to the Holy Cross, in the local forests. A small hotel was built for monarchs coming to religious services. In the 16th century, instead of a guest house, they began to build a full-fledged palace, into which the royal family moved from Edinburgh Castle.
The left tower of the palace is one of the oldest. It was in it that the chambers of the famous Scottish Queen Mary Stuart were located.
After listening to the audio guide's story, we learned about the tragic turns in the queen's fate. Mary Stuart was the only legitimate surviving child of the Scottish king James V and the noble French aristocrat Mary of Guise. Her father died when Mary was still a baby, and the girl was soon crowned Queen of Scotland. At the age of five, she was betrothed to the heir to the French throne and sent to France. There, Mary Stuart became the French queen at the age of 17, but was also considered a possible contender for the English throne.
Her husband died soon after the wedding, and Mary Stuart returned to Scotland. At this time, the nobility in the country was divided into those who wanted rapprochement with England, and those who supported the queen, who was friends with France and other Catholic countries.
Mary Stuart settled in Holyrood Palace and organized here a kind of social life at court.
Balls and masquerades were held in the palace, and the rules of the Louvre were transferred to Holyrood. Soon, the still very young queen married her cousin Henry Stuart. However, her feelings for her husband cooled very quickly, which could not but cause dissatisfaction with her husband. One evening, Henry and his friends burst into the chambers of his pregnant wife, where she was having dinner with her secretary David Riccio. The men brutally killed the Italian in front of Mary Stuart.
During the tour, we saw the very rooms in which this crime took place. The relationship between the spouses was completely upset, and even the birth of an heir did not help to cement such a fragile marriage. Maria fell in love with another lord and even began to think about divorce. One day, the body of Henry Stuart was found on an estate near Edinburgh. Rumors immediately arose about the involvement of Mary Stuart, who wanted to marry her new lover, in the murder. The lords rebelled, and the queen had to flee to England and ask for protection from her eternal rival Elizabeth I. Mary's mistake was that she did not want to give up her claims to the English throne.
For this, Elizabeth, who feared her, settled Mary Stuart in Sheffield Castle, where the Scottish queen was actually under arrest. Later, letters from Mary Stuart were intercepted, where she allegedly incited supporters of Catholicism to kill Elizabeth. For this she was tried and later executed. In general, the fate of the Scottish queen turned out to be very sad: living in luxury from an early age, already at the age of twenty-five she was imprisoned, which lasted almost twenty years, after which she was executed. The Queen's personal items and even a lock of her blond hair have been preserved at Holyroodhouse Palace. In the 17th century, for symmetry, the right tower of the palace was built and the royal chambers were completed.
In the next century, the roof of Holyrood Abbey collapsed and was never restored.
The very picturesque ruins of the temple, where many Scottish monarchs were crowned, married and buried, have survived to this day.
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse we also visited the portrait gallery with the faces of all Scottish kings, saw weapons and antique furniture.
The palace seemed very elegant and cozy to us. There are not many tourists inside.
This was especially pleasing at the end of the excursion, when we went out into the wonderful park surrounding the palace. In April, numerous plants were blooming here, birds were singing, and Holyrood seemed to us an unusually beautiful and secluded place.
The park offers stunning views of the hills and Arthur's Seat.
Holyroodhouse Palace is not only a unique historical site, but also one of most beautiful places A must see in Edinburgh.
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Holyroodhouse Palace is the official residence of the British Queen in Scotland, where state ceremonies and official receptions are held. The palace is located in the center of the capital on the main street - the Royal Mile, at the other end of which is located.
Myths and facts
Legend tells how King David was hunting in the forest when he was attacked by a deer. At that moment, a silver cloud appeared in the sky, from which a luminous cross emerged. The deer immediately ran away, and King David, in confirmation of this miracle, founded the Monastery of the Holy Cross in 1128.
The monastery flourished and Edinburgh became the capital. The royal family decided to move from the gloomy Edinburgh Castle on the rock to cozy Holyrood, surrounded by a beautiful park. In 1501 James IV built next to Holyrood Priory. Only a fragment of the gatehouse from this building has survived to this day.
Maria spent most of her hectic life at Holyrood Palace. Here she married her two husbands, and Rizzio's personal secretary was killed by her jealous husband.
Further reconstruction was carried out in 1633 on the occasion of the coronation of the Scottish Prince Charles James I. During Civil War Oliver Cromwell's troops were quartered in the palace, which caused significant damage and led to a fire.
The new king of Scotland, Charles II, initiated a significant restoration of Holyrood in the 1670s. The palace was completely restored and transformed by the architect William Bruce into a quadrangle. To make the facade symmetrical, a right tower was added and a new Royal Apartment with richly decorated rooms was built. Charles II, who never visited Holyroodhouse, built it as a private residence for his brother James, Duke of York. When the Duke came to the throne, he adapted the royal chapels to host the rites of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's oldest order of chivalry.
After the unification of Scotland and England in 1707, the palace lost its primary significance and fell into disrepair.
Only at the beginning of the 19th century, after the visit of George IV, the fifth king of Great Britain, were funds allocated for the restoration of Holyrood. George IV ordered that Queen Mary's rooms be "protected from any future alterations" and also ordered that the palace be used when the Assembly was in session (a tradition that continues today).
In 1920, Holyroodhouse Palace was declared the official residence of the monarchs in Scotland and became the site of regular royal ceremonies and events. During the absence of the royal family, the palace is open to the public.
What to see
The entrance to the palace is via the 17th-century Baroque Grand Staircase, with its elaborate ceiling sculptures depicting angels holding Scottish regalia. Italian wall paintings from the 16th century illustrate scenes from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Next is the richly decorated Royal Dining Room and the Throne Room, where George IV was crowned.
The most impressive are the private chambers of Mary Stuart. Many antiques, valuable paintings and tapestries are kept here. The rooms are decorated with rich finishing and decorative details.
In a spacious art gallery Portraits of 110 Scottish monarchs hang on the walls. The gallery also features art from the royal family's private collection.
The exhibition dedicated to the Order of the Thistle presents a collection of awards that were awarded to Scots who held important public positions or made a special contribution.
Near the palace you can see the ruins of an ancient monastery - the first building in Holyrood. The buildings are surrounded by beautiful gardens.
What else to see in Scotland: the cathedral in Edinburgh, castles in Dundee and.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open daily from 9.30am to 6pm from April to October and until 4.30pm from November to March. Closed on December 25-26 and when visiting the Royal Family.
Cost: £10.75 (includes audio tour), students £9.80, children under 17 £6.50.
* You can get there by train (the station is a 15-minute walk), or by buses No. 35, 36 (stop next to the palace).
** To ensure safety, there is a one-way route inside the complex.
*** It is prohibited to take photographs inside the palace and to bring drinks and food (drinks can be ordered in the cafe in the stable yard).
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This palace is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen. Holyroodhouse, designed in Baroque style, is located on the famous Royal Mile. The palace, like many ancient buildings in Edinburgh, is closely connected with the history of Scotland.
Holyroodhouse is famous primarily for the fact that the Scottish Queen Mary lived here. It was a turbulent reign, accompanied by conspiracies and murders. For example, Maria saw how her jealous husband Lord Darnley killed the royal secretary Rizzio in her chambers.
Today, state receptions with the participation of the Queen and members of her family are periodically held in the apartment. In addition, the palace hosts exhibitions where you can learn more about the history of Scotland. Thus, an important symbol is represented here - the mantle worn during knighthood of the Order of the Thistle at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth II is usually present at this ceremony.
Address: EH8 8DX, Midlothian, Edinburgh, The Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Opening hours: April - October: 09:30 - 18:00 (entrance until 16:30), November - March: 09:30 - 16:30 (entry until 15:15). Recommended visiting time is at least 1 - 1.5 hours.
Entrance (with audio guide in Russian): 14 GBP, tourists over 60 years old and students (with valid ID): 12.7 GBP, children under 17 years old: 8.1 GBP, children under 5 years old: free, family ticket (2 adults + 3 children under 17 years old): 36.1 GBP.
Entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Gallery (combined ticket): 19.10 GBP, tourists over 60 years and students (with valid ID): 17.90 GBP, children under 17 years: 10.80 GBP, children under 5 years: free ; family ticket (2 adults + 3 children under 17): 49 GBP.
Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Among the famous monuments and attractions of Great Britain, it is worth noting the famous residence of Elizabeth II, located in Scotland, in the city of Edinburgh. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is state property, which is transferred to the use of the next monarch.
A little history
Once upon a time, on the site of the palace, Holyrood Abbey was located, founded in 1128 by the King of Scotland, David I. According to legend, while hunting, the king had a vision in the form of a deer, between whose antlers a cross was shining, this became a sign for the founding of the monastery. The name of the palace translated from English means “Holy Cross”. However, almost 600 years later, the abbey building collapsed, and today you can only admire the beautifully restored, picturesque ruins.
In the 15th century, there was a hotel at the abbey, which was the unofficial residence of the kings of Scotland. After a while, James IV built a castle in the Renaissance style in its place, which became the main royal palace. In the 16th century, this was the personal residence of Mary Stuart, whose chambers have been well preserved to this day. By order of King Charles II, the castle was slightly rebuilt in 1679.
As a rule, the Queen of Great Britain uses the residence during her official visits to Scotland, where, according to a long-standing tradition, she spends one week. It is in this palace that she appoints the First Minister of Scotland and arranges various royal receptions.
The rest of the time, when the Queen is away, the palace, which is considered one of Edinburgh's most popular attractions, is open to tourists.
What to see at Holyroodhouse:
- The Royal Apartments, used by the Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty during their stay in Scotland;
- Throne room. Knighthoods of the Order of the Thistle, which is Scotland's main award, take place here;
- Historical apartments. You will be shown the private chambers of Mary Stuart of Scotland and her husband Lord Darnley;
- An exhibition dedicated to the Order of the Thistle. This highest award is awarded to Scots who have made a special contribution to the life and history of the nation, as well as to persons in public office.
In summer, tourists are given a full tour of the entire territory of the Abbey. A professional guide, interesting details from the life of monarchs and picturesque landscapes will leave an indelible impression of the famous landmark of Scotland.
Information for visitors
Address: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX.
Working hours: daily.
- from November 1 to March 31 - 9:30 - 16:30 (ticket offices close at 15:15);
- from April 1 to October 31 - 9:30 - 18:00 (ticket offices close at 16:30).
Those who like to wander through museum halls, learning the history of the city and country, may also be interested in the National Museum of Scotland with a huge collection of antiquities.
Holyrood Palace is the official residence of British monarchs in Edinburgh. Its name comes from a corruption of Haly Ruid - "Holy Cross". This was the name of the Augustinian abbey founded on this site in 1128.
The palace has been the official royal residence for 600 years. 
Construction of the Palace of Holyroodhouse was begun in 1498 by James IV next to a 12th-century abbey (the ruins of which still remain). 
By the end of the 15th century, the abbey inn was transformed into the unofficial residence of the kings of Scotland. In 1498-1501. James IV built a Renaissance palace on the site of the hotel, which, as Edinburgh's importance as the capital of Scotland grew, became the main royal palace. 
The unicorn has traditionally been included in many historical Scottish coats of arms (often in the form of a shield holder).
The historical coat of arms of Scotland is a red heraldic lion with blue arms (claws and tongue) on a golden field, surrounded by a double red border overgrown with lilies. 
In the 16th century, Holyroodhouse Palace was the residence of Mary Stuart, and the interiors of her chambers have been preserved to this day. In 1671-1679 the building was rebuilt by order of King Charles II. 
Abandoned for a long time, the palace was brought back to life by King George IV. 
There is a tradition that the Queen spends at least one week a year at Holyroodhouse. Here the Queen appoints the First Minister of Scotland and holds royal receptions. 
There is a wonderful garden around the palace. 
Holyrood Abbey of the Augustinian Order, founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, began to be actively used for coronations and weddings of royalty from the 15th century. 
In the 18th century The roof of the main building collapsed and the abbey is now a well-restored ruin. 
The Palace of Holyroodhouse has the shape of a square - buildings on the sides of a square perimeter and a courtyard in the middle. 
True, you can only notice this by climbing Salisbury, a mountain rising next to the palace. 
Two double towers are added to the façade of Holyrood Palace, giving Holyrood its unique look. 
Holyroodhouse Palace is located a mile from Edinburgh Castle. 
The halls of Holyroodhouse Palace are decorated with alabaster stucco, frescoes by Dutch and Italian masters, and tapestries.
