From Jacobite stories to embroidered biographies, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and its many chapters of history have provided the inspiration for many literary works over the centuries. In the Abbey Strand Book Club, explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction. Please note, texts are not included in the ticket price, and should be purchased to read beforehand.
2 March - Waverley, Walter Scott
In our first Abbey Strand book club session, explore Walter Scott's novel Waverley, and discover the history and spaces in the Palace that provided inspiration for Scott.
1 June - The Fair Botanists, Sarah Sheridan
Explore the space and stories of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, before turning attention to a recent novel inspired by gardens of Enlightenment Edinburgh.
7 September - Macbeth, William Shakespeare
A portrait of Macbeth hangs in the Great Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In this same room hangs a portrait of James VI and I. Explore the connection between the king and the bard, and delve into an interest which they had a common interest- witchcraft.
7 December - Embroidering Her Truth, Clare Hunter
Perhaps one of the most famous residents to make the Palace of Holyroodhouse her home was Mary, Queen Of Scots. Explore Mary's chambers and objects connected with the monarch, including an exquisite embroidery made during the last years of her life.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
READ MOREMany authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MOREJoin us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.
READ MOREThis 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.
READ MOREJoin our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
READ MOREJoin Mark Kirkham, better known as the Edinburgh Sketcher, to explore Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery, Edinburgh on 22nd November!
READ MORECome along to the very first Bookbug session in the historic Abbey Strand Centre at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday 28th November!
READ MOREJoin us for a special descriptive tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Edinburgh, designed for visually impaired and blind visitors.
READ MORETaking inspiration from Drawing the Italian Renaissance, join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a fun family yoga session full of movement, music, songs and stories.
READ MORETake inspiration from drawings in our latest exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance and join us for a special family drawing workshop.
READ MOREJoin florist and Royal Warrant-holder Lottie Longman at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 1st December to create your own festive wreath to take home!
READ MOREStep into the world of Renaissance artistry for a special evening event at our exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance.
READ MOREJoin exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
READ MOREEnjoy seeing the beautifully decorated State Apartments of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as you make your way to the Great Gallery to hear a wonderful concert of Christmas music.
READ MOREJoin us for a special descriptive Christmas Tour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse designed for visually impaired visitors.
READ MOREIn this BSL guided festive tour, explore Royal Christmas traditions in the beautiful surroundings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
READ MOREJoin us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 13th December for a fun festive activity for the whole family to enjoy!
READ MOREThis Christmas, join Recitals for Wrigglers in the Great Gallery of the Palace of Holyroodhouse for a festive concert specially created for babies and toddlers.
READ MOREJoin our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.
READ MOREVictoria 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.
READ MORETaking 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.
READ MOREJoin storyteller Claire McNicol as she explores tales inspired by drawings of the Italian Renaissance in an exciting interactive storytelling session.
READ MOREJoin 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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Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
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You are warmly invited to join us at the German Church for our Rhyme Time for Under 5s, once a month during term time!
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Come and meet internationally bestselling children's author, Hannah Gold, on Wednesday 5th November, as she signs copies of her thrilling tale of arctic adventure, The Lone Husky!
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Led by Dr Elspeth Jajdelska, READ WRITE HEAR is a live, hands-on event exploring how reading has been shared, spoken, and shaped by setting, voice, and gesture across time.
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Join Professor Alice Roberts as she takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why; the story of the fall of an Empire – and the rise of another!
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Come along to the Institut français d’Écosse on 11th November when Nina Six will be discussing her work and signing copies of her graphic novels.
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Come along to the Institut français d'Écosse on Wednesday 12th November and meet author Arnaud de La Grange - journalist, UK and Ireland correspondent for Le Figaro, and a writer!
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Come along to the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo on 13th November for the Launch of a new translation of Giovanni Verga’s I Malavoglia, published by Glasgow-based Vagabond Voices!
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Chris Gregory is one of the top Bob Dylan authorities and he will be hosting a Book Presentation in Edinburgh at the Fraser Centre on Saturday 15th November.
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