Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

A visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse includes the remains of 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, the Palace gardens, the State Apartments of the Palace itself, and stories of its most famous residents from the past and present. A reflection of the changing tastes of successive monarchs, the State Apartments are famous for their beautiful plasterwork ceilings and unrivalled collection of French and Flemish tapestries.

As you walk through the Palace, you will notice how the rooms become progressively grander as you approach the King's Bedchamber - the grandest room of all, where historically, only the most important guests would have been granted an audience.

Royal Dining Room
Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family used this as their dining room when they stayed at the Palace. The silver banqueting service on display was presented to King George V and Queen Mary to mark their Silver Jubilee in 1935. Commissioned specifically for use at Holyroodhouse, the service was made in Edinburgh and based on Scottish examples from the early 17th century.

Throne Room and Privy Chamber
During Holyrood Week, when Queen Elizabeth II stayed at the Palace each year, she hosted lunch in the Throne Room for the Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland. The Privy Chamber, created for Charles II in the late 1600s, was used for private audiences with the First Minister of Scotland and visiting dignitaries. This room was also referred to as the Morning Drawing Room in the time of Queen Victoria; when the Queen stayed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with her family on the way to Balmoral, her mornings were often spent here.                          

Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers
Perhaps one of the most famous monarchs to live at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers where she lived between 1561-1567 are not to be missed. When you climb the steps up to the north-west tower you enter a world of intrigue, tragedy and murder.

Reached by a narrow, steep and winding staircase, this is the oldest section of the palace. Built almost 500 years ago, the battlements and fortified walls are typical of a time when kings and queens required protection against their enemies.   

*Schedule:
24 May – 7 September: Daily (Monday – Sunday)
8 September – 29 December: Thursday - Monday (closed Tuesday - Wednesday)




Starting point: LANDMARK - Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh,  - (Longitude: -3.172272, Latitude: 55.952714)
Ending point: Same - Same as Starting Point

Inclusions: 
 
Tickets
 


Exclusions: 
 
Guide
 


Important Info: 
Please make sure you answer all the mandatory questions during the booking process.
 You need to show a valid ISIC card to get the student rate.