Visit Holyrood Palace, the King’s Residence in Scotland

If Scotland or royalty are minor obsessions of yours, then you must visit Holyrood Palace (or the Palace of Holyroodhouse) on your next trip to Edinburgh! Located at the end of the illustrious Royal Mile in Edinburgh, this historic palace serves as the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. A place where history and royalty intertwine, the palace holds captivating tales of the past, including its close association with the iconic Mary Queen of Scots. Step into its hallowed halls and traverse the corridors where kings and queens once roamed.

1. Before you visit Holyrood Palace, a little royal history!

There aren’t too many palaces in Scotland, but the Palace of the Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland. The Royal Collection Trust administers the palace, also known as Holyroodhouse, and is normally open to visitors. When the King is in residence, Holyrood Palace remains closed to tourists.

Even though the palace itself is relatively modern, it sits on the grounds of the old Holyrood Abbey, founded in 1128 by King David I. The name Holyrood, basically means “Holy Cross”. In the old Scots language, “rood” is the word for the cross in which Jesus was crucified.

I mean, you really can’t visit Holyrood Palace without knowing what the name in Scots mean, right?

By the 15th century, the guesthouse of the abbey was converted into a royal residence. Ruins of the old abbey are still on the grounds itself and is a beautiful reminder of a different time. The palace as we know it today dates back to the late 1600s, built to commemorate the restoration of Charles II’s reign.

You’ll also learn about the most famous resident (1561 – 1567) of Holyrood Palace Mary, Queen of Scots. The actual bedchambers of Mary, Queen of Scots is part of the visit. Apparently, the bedchambers are the “most famous room in Scotland.” Bold claim. Queen Mary’s private secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered in the supper chambers (adjacent to and part of the bedchamber). There is a plaque and a small red cross marking the location in the Audience Chamber.

This scene is depicted in the 2018 Mary Queen of Scots film. (Who has seen it???) I’m a sucker for historical movies and visiting their filming locations.

The Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Stuart) set up court at Holyrood Palace for only a few weeks, in 1745. During this time, he planned his next moves to take back the British crown for the Stuarts. Following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie subsequently retreated to Europe for the remainder of his life.

2. Photos of the Holyrood Abbey

I’ve introduced the Holyrood Abbey above, but there’s something about old ruins that are quite breathtaking. It’s a wonderful place to walk around.

3. Clarification on Balmoral vs. the Holyrood Palace

Since initially writing this article, many people shared their confusion over Holyrood Palace versus Balmoral being the King’s residence in Scotland. To clarify, Balmoral is the King’s private residence in Scotland. It was purchased privately by Prince Albert (Queen Victoria’s husband) in 1848, and passed down through the royal family.

The official residences of the British monarchy , which are owned by the Crown (owned by the British monarch, by virtue of their position as King or Queen) include:

• Buckingham Palace – official London residence
• Windsor Castle – official country residence
• Holyrood Palace – official Scottish residence
• Hillsborough Castle – official residence in Northern Ireland

Other places, like Balmoral or Sandringham House, are their private residences that are owned personally, and passed down within the family.

Hope that helps to clear up any confusion!

4. Information & FAQ on how to visit Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace is located in Edinburgh, at the bottom of the Royal Mile, opposite of the Scottish Parliament Building. At the other end of the Royal Mile is Edinburgh Castle.

Can the public visit Holyrood Palace?

• YES absolutely, unless the King is in Residence. Previously, Queen Elizabeth normally stayed at Holyrood Palace during “Royal Week” in Scotland – from the end of June to the beginning of July. King Charles would likely keep this same tradition.
• As this is a working royal palace, there will be some unexpected closures.

When are the Holyrood Palace opening times?

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open Thursday to Sunday, from 9:30 am.
• Between 1 April – 31 October, the Palace of Holyroodhouse closes at 18:00.
• From 1 November – 31 March, the palace closes at 16:30.

Should I book tickets in advance?

• YES – you’ll need to book tickets in advance, with a specified time slot for entry, so visit their website for more information.

How much do Palace of Holyroodhouse tickets cost in 2022?

• Tickets currently costs 17.50 – 18.50 GBP for an adult ticket (depending on low/high season). This comes with a multimedia guide for a self-guided tour. The multimedia set includes stories and insights into the palace and its famous former residents.
• Families can save up to 15 GBP for booking directly with Palace of Holyrood House.
• The ticket to the Holyrood Palace also includes entrance to the Holyrood Abbey.

Expert COVID safety tip: bring your own earphones.

Are photos allowed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse?

• Photos are now allowed inside for non-commercial purposes, but was not when I visited! 🙂

Already know you want to re-visit the Holyrood Palace in the future?

• If you enjoyed Holyrood Palace, you can easily convert your ticket into a 1-year pass! Just let palace staff know on your way out. You’ll sign and date the ticket, while staff stamp it. You’ll then have a valid entrance ticket for the next year!

5. Parting Thoughts on the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Personally, I really enjoyed Holyrood Palace, primarily because of its long and rich history. I also felt that the audioguide was quite interesting, and well done. However, being in the bedchambers of Mary Queen of Scots, and knowing what happened to her private secretary there, was quite somber and very surreal.

And I loved walking around the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey. It’s incredible to think that it’s been there since the early 12th century. So much history has taken place on the ground of the Palace of the Holyrood House! For those history buffs or people simply interested in learning more, I’d highly recommend a visit to Holyrood House.

If you’re looking for other things to do in Edinburgh,

• explore Edinburgh culinarily, through a food tour;
• visit the National Gallery of Scotland or the National Portrait Gallery, which are both free!
• indulge yourself with a stay at 21212, formerly a Michelin-starred dining experience now focused on its 4-luxury rooms. With gorgeous Baroque and Georgian designs, it’s a lush stay – and only 15 minutes walk from the palace!

There’s a variety of tours all over Scotland you can take from Edinburgh:

• a 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye;
• visit Loch Ness, Inverness, and the Highlands over a 2-day tour;
• follow in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire on a 4-day Outlander tour.

Connect to Edinburgh from elsewhere in Scotland via ScotRail trains. Or, if you’re traveling to Scotland from London, what about going via an overnight sleeper train! Travel in comfort overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen! Be sure to check out my review of the journey!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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