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Inspired by Burns: Family activity day

On 21st January, ahead of Burns Night, join us at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate the work of Scottish poet Robert Burns!

Inspired by Burns: Family activity day

About Inspired by Burns: Family activity day

Join us at the Palace ahead of Burns Night for a day of activities celebrating Scotland’s national poet.

Making mini books -
Did you know that there are a number of miniature books containing works by Robert Burns in the Royal Collection? Find out about these miniature masterpieces and try your hand at making your own to take home.

Tam O’Shanter Tale -
Hear the terrific tale of Tam O’Shanter, and make your own puppet to take home and help you tell this famous tale.

Palace poems -
Burns wrote poems about many people, including some famous figures with connections to the Palace. Join us for some short recitals of these works.

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Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse or Burns&Beyond

Drawing the Italian Renaissance

17th October 2025 - 1st March 2026

This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, brings together a wide range of drawings from this revolutionary artistic period, including 45 drawings never exhibited in Scotland before.

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Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 23rd October 2025 - 26th February 2026

Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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Family Drawing Workshop

Selected dates between 29th November 2025 - 20th February 2026

Take inspiration from drawings in our latest exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance and join us for a special family drawing workshop.

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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction

Selected dates between 5th December 2025 - 29th January 2026

Join exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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Community Connections

Selected dates between 14th January 2026 - 8th April 2026

Each month in the beautiful and historic Abbey Strand Centre, Community Connections will explore themes from across the Royal Collection and the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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King’s Gallery: Guided Looking

Selected dates between 19th January 2026 - 9th February 2026

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, at The King's Gallery in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as she describes various images in the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance.

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Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 29th January 2026 - 30th April 2026

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse!

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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour

31st January 2026

Join our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.

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Royal Rhyme Time

Selected dates between 2nd February 2026 - 7th December 2026

Join the team at Palace of Holyroodhouse in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for their special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers!

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Conservator Talk: Conserving the Campi Cartoon

6th February 2026

Victoria Button, Royal Collection Trust’s Head of Paper Conservation, discusses her work in preparing drawings for presentation in Drawing The Italian Renaissance, on display at The King's Gallery.

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Family Yoga: Early Years

13th February 2026

Taking inspiration from Drawing the Italian Renaissance join us for a fun family yoga session full of movement, music, songs and stories. Suitable for children 16 months to 4 years old.

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Drawing The Palace

Selected dates between 16th February 2026 - 21st February 2026

Discover how the Palace of Holyroodhouse looked in the past and how it has been redesigned various times on this family-friendly sketching trail!

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Storytelling: Inspired by drawings

17th February 2026

Join storyteller Claire McNicol as she explores tales inspired by drawings of the Italian Renaissance in an exciting interactive storytelling session.

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Curatorial Talk: The Patrons of the Renaissance

27th February 2026

Join Martin Clayton, Head of Prints and Drawings at Royal Collection Trust, for this lunchtime lecture as he discusses the vital role of patrons in the creation of Italian Renaissance art.

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Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2026 - 5th December 2026

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse... the Palace Page Turners sessions explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

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The Edwardians: Age of Elegance

24th April 2026 - 6th December 2026

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance explores the glitzy world of two of Britain's most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary!

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Sponsored Links

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Fayre Play
Wonder & Co
Cancer Research UK
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

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