The Royal Collection

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat.

This famous baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history. Today the Royal Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining. They are finely decorated with magnificent works of art from the Royal Collection.

The State Apartments reflect the changing tastes of successive monarchs and are renowned for their fine plasterwork ceilings and magnificent furnishings, particularly the unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries. One of the most famous rooms in the Palace is the Great Gallery, hung with Jacob de Wet's 110 portraits of the real and legendary kings of Scotland.

The Palace is best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots and was the setting for the many dramatic episodes in her short and turbulent reign. Mary was twice married in the Abbey at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal murder of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

Tour Info

April - October - Open daily 9.30am - 6pm (last admission 5pm).

November to March - Open daily 9.30am - 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm).

25th July - 1pm - 6pm (last admission 5pm)

10th August - 9:30-1pm (last admission 12pm)

The Palace is closed

10th April 2009

16th May - 6th June 2009

22nd June - 3rd July 2009

24th July 2009

25th-26th December 2009

and during Royal Visits

The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots and was the setting for many dramatic epidsodes if her short and turbulent reign.