Building of the Week: The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

Entrance Facade
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Known as Holyroodhouse, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Palace, this majestic Edinburgh castle with its ruined abbey is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. Unofficially, she likes to stay at Balmoral while in Scotland, but that estate is her own private property.

The West Facade
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Holyrood Palace, like many of the Royal residences, has grown and developed over the centuries. Legend states that the land was the spot where King David I found himself about to be attacked by a hart when the animal was distracted by a sign from God. Following that “miraculous” encounter, King David I, ordered that an abbey be built on the land. The monastery at Holyrood Abbery was founded in 1128.

The abbey was the site of many marriages and burials as well as coronations until the roof collapsed in 1768. The structure has remained as it is—un-restored—for two hundred fifty years. Though many have proposed rebuilding or restoring the abbey since the Eighteen Century, no plan has ever been accepted. And, so, the abbey remains ruined.

Holyrood Abbey
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

An Aerial View
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In contrast to that, Holyrood Palace is quite well maintained though it, too, has been destroyed on several occasions. Three hundred years after the construction of the abbey, a small guesthouse was built nearby. Over the course of the next century, the house was expanded and became a popular vacation home for many in the Royal Family. It was a Royal residence in all ways except name. In 1498, King James IV ordered the construction of a new palace which would replace the adapted guesthouse. For three years, the palace was constructed. The result was an official Royal residence which truly befitted a king.

Bed Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

Built around an enormous quadrangle, the new palace contained a chapel, a great hall and various Royal apartments. James V added to the palace, constructed the suite of rooms and the tower which would be occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots.

With the ascension of James VI to the throne in 1603, the palace fell out of use when the permanent Royal court was moved to London. In 1650, the palace was destroyed (some say accidentally) by Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Cromwell insisted that he would rebuild the palace, and he did. However, Cromwell’s additions were pulled down by King Charles II who erected the structure we see today.

The Queen's Gallery
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

Since then, Holyrood Palace has welcomed many different British monarchs and heads of state. Today, the Scottish branch of the Queen’s Gallery is located in Holyroodhouse and welcomes visitors from around the world.

To learn more about this historic Royal residence, visit the Official Web Site of the British Monarchy. 

The King's Closet
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

As it was in 1789.
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II