Abbey Strand Book Club
Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!
About Abbey Strand Book Club
From tragic tales of treachery to stories of Jacobite journeys, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and its many chapters of history have provided the inspiration for a vast array of literary works over the centuries. In the Abbey Strand book club, explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction.
March - Rizzio, Denise Mina
Explore in fictional form the infamous events surrounding the death of David Rizzio in 1566. Visit the scene of the crime, Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers, before delving into Mina's exploration of the days and hours leading up to this dramatic moment.
June - Waverley, Walter Scott
Scott’s first novel is set during the years of the Jacobite uprising of 1745, with significant scenes taking place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In this meeting, visit the chambers used by Charles Edward during his six-week stay at the Palace, and see the rooms described by Scott in his fictional imagining of this time.
September – Quines, Gerda Stevenson
This poetry collection celebrates stories of women of Scotland from across the centuries, many of whom have a connection to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, including Saint Margaret, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne.
December - Hex, Jenni Fagan
Delve into the turbulent world of sixteenth-century Edinburgh and the fear and fascination with witchcraft. Hear the story of Agnes Sampson, who was accused of witchcraft and brought to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for questioning by King James VI and I himself.
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Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described
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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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography
This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!
READ MOREPalace Page Turners
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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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
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Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse
Join Audio Describer Fiona Johnston for a special opportunity for visually impaired and blind visitors to engage with selected features, and handle replica object in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Monday Makes
This summer, join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse every Monday in the Great Gallery to make your very own trinket box to take home.
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Physic Garden: Flower Arranging
Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman on 24th July to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then create your own bouquet to take home.
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Costume at court: Family dressing up
Discover some of the past fashions of the Palace with our costume at court drop-in sessions and take part in our dressing up activity!
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Family Physic Garden Tours
Join us in the Physic Garden this summer for free family history tours designed specially for children!
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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour
Enjoy a BSL tour of Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 12th August!
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Hugo Burnand: In Conversation
Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 15th August for an intimate glimpse behind the camera as Royal photographer Hugo Burnand talks to Alessandro Nasini about his career and work.
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Jacobite Activity Day
Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Saturday 16th August for a fun activity day exploring Jacobite stories and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s visit to the Palace.
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Relaxed Evening: Palace of Holyroodhouse
This relaxed opening on Friday 22nd August, offers a chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a calm, tranquil atmosphere!
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Physic Garden: Floral Wreaths
Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and create your own fresh wreath!
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Drawing the Italian Renaissance
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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Palace Page Turners
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An Evening with Andrew Raymond
Join Andrew Raymond at Waterstones Edinburgh West End on Thursday 17th July as he chats about his explosive Scottish crime thriller The Bonnie Dead!
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Fringe by the Sea
Fringe by the Sea, a 10-day multi arts festival in North Berwick, is back for 2025 from 1st-10th August.
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Edinburgh International Book Festival
The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 9th to Sunday 24th August with the Theme 'Repair'.
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The Underground Lectures: No Sex Please, We’re Professionals: Career Depictions in Spicy Novels
In this lively and revealing discussion on 13th August, let us dissect how accurately professions are portrayed in romance and erotica .
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Meet the author Laurent Binet
Meet multi-award-winning French writer Laurent Binet at the Institut francais d'Ecosse on 19th August for a talk on his books!
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An Evening with Ocean Vuong - The Emperor of Gladness
The Portobello Bookshop team are hosting an event with Ocean Vuong at the Assembly Rooms on Monday 8th September, for an evening of conversation about his second novel.
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Hold Fast, An Evening with Catherine Simpson
Join Catherine Simpson on Thursday 18th September at Waterstones Edinburgh West End as she shares her unforgettable story, Hold Fast!
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An Evening with Carlo Rovelli
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics with an evening of science, art and music on Tuesday 23rd September at McEwan Hall!
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