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The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh and the Lothians
Location: The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX (map and directions)
As the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, or
Holyrood Palace, has served as the principal residence of the kings and queens of Scotland
since the 15th century. Queen Elizabeth II spends one week a year at Holyrood at the start of
each summer, before spending two months at Balmoral Castle. 
Holyrood Palace © David Monniaux
History of Holyrood PalaceHolyrood Palace sits at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle and the
baroque palace played a key role in the history of Scotland. Holyrood Palace is the site
where James II was born in 1430, and also where he was crowned, married and laid to rest.
Mary Queen of Scots was married here and also witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary
by her second husband. Holyroodhouse was also the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie
during the 1745 Jacobite uprising.
Holyrood Palace has undergone countless additions, restorations and refurbishments
throughout its history. The Palace in its current form is in the shape of a quadrangle and
includes a chapel, The Queen’s Gallery, the royal apartments, and the Great Hall, along with
the ruined Holyrood Abbey on the grounds.
Today the palace is used as the setting for official royal entertaining. The Queen and the
Duke of Edinburgh entertain near to 8,000 guests during Holyrood Week, which includes
the Queen’s birthday celebrations on the 3rd Saturday of June each year. The entertainment
is a tradition that has its roots in times when King George V and Queen Mary held the first
garden party in the grounds of Holyroodhouse. 
Palace of Holyroodhouse © Oliver Bonjoch
Historic Scotland is responsible for Holyrood Abbey, which is located within the grounds of
Holyrood Palace, built in 1128 at the order of King David I of Scotland. The palace is open to the public daily when a member of the Royal Family is not in
residence.
View Palace of Holyrood House in a larger map
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Other castles in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Auldhame Castle
Ballencrieff Castle
Barnbougle Castle
Barnes Castle
Bavelaw Castle
Borthwick Castle
Craigcrook Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Cramond Tower
Crichton Castle
Dalhousie Castle
Dalkeith Palace
Dirleton Castle
Dunbar Castle
Dundas Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Fa'side Castle
Fenton Tower
Hailes Castle
Hamilton House
Hawthornden Castle
House of the Binns
Innerwick Castle
Lauriston Castle
Lennox Tower
Lennoxlove House
Linlithgow Palace
Merchiston Castle
Midhope Castle
Niddry Castle
Northfield House
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Preston Tower
Redhouse Castle
Roslin Castle
Tantallon Castle
Whittingehame Tower
Yester Castle
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