Magical Menagerie Activity Day
Learn about the history of the Palace Gardens, where 500 years ago a medieval menagerie was home to a range of animals including lions, tigers and bears.
About Magical Menagerie Activity Day
Five hundred years ago, part of the Palace Gardens was a medieval menagerie – sort of like a private royal zoo. It was home to a range of animals - including lions, tigers and bears.
Animal masks
Join us in the Family Room to learn about the animals that have lived in the Palace Gardens – in the medieval menagerie hundreds of years ago, and amongst the shrubs and trees today. Take the chance to make a paper mask of your favourite animal to wear as you explore the Palace.
Garden Games
As well as the exotic animals living in the menagerie, the Gardens were also home to a tennis court, bowls, hawking, archery and other outdoor games. Come try your hand at some historic games!
Unicorn Family Trail
Celebrate the most magical animal of all – Scotland’s national animal, the mighty unicorn! Collect your copy of this special activity trail and see if you can spot the unicorns in the Palace and grounds.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
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!Sponsored Links
Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse
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.
READ MORE
Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks
Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
READ MOREFamily Drawing Workshop
Take inspiration from drawings in our latest exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance and join us for a special family drawing workshop.
READ MORE
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction
Join exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
READ MORE
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour
Join our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Conservator Talk: Conserving the Campi Cartoon
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.
READ MORE
Family Yoga: Early Years
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.
READ MORE
Storytelling: Inspired by drawings
Join storyteller Claire McNicol as she explores tales inspired by drawings of the Italian Renaissance in an exciting interactive storytelling session.
READ MORE
Curatorial Talk: The Patrons of the Renaissance
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.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Arthur’s Secrets
Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur's Seat's turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
READ MORE
Holyrood Family Adventure
Discover more about Holyrood's wildlife, history and volcanic landscape with these fun filled sessions in the dramatic landscape of Holyrood Park.
READ MORE
Family Drawing Workshop
Take inspiration from drawings in our latest exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance and join us for a special family drawing workshop.
READ MORE
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
The spectacular Torchlight Procession will once again light up the city with a river of fire created by over 15,000 torch bearers and friends from around the world!
READ MORE
Countdown to Hogmanay, Ceilidh with The Brave
This is the first of three great Laldie Ceilidhs on the last three nights of 2025: the Countdown to Hogmanay at the Assembly Roxy.
READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club - Hogmanay Warm-up Party
What better way to bring in the new year than with The Haggis Ceilidh Club's Hogmanay Ceilidh Warm-up at The Old Dr Bells Baths on 30th December!
READ MORE
The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
Join in the fun and enjoy the party atmosphere of a traditional Scottish Hogmanay at the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra's annual festive concert!
READ MORE
Countdown to Hogmanay, Ceilidh with The Big Shoogle
The Big Shoogle, the world's rockiest Ceilidh band, is playing the second night of the 2025 Countdown to Hogmanay!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links