The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.

About The Palace of Holyroodhouse

	The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX
	The Palace of Holyroodhouse Website
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Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture / Attractions - Days Out

Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

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Upcoming Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Family and Kids

Royal Rhyme Time

Selected dates between 6th January 2025 - 2nd June 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

Join us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.

Talks and Lectures

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 18th December 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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

Family and Kids

Family Studio Saturdays

Selected dates between 22nd February 2025 - 21st June 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

Studio Saturdays, at the The Palace of Holyroodhouse, are monthly hands-on artistic workshops for families who are interested in learning new ways to express their creativity.

Exhibitions

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

28th February 2025 - 7th September 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!

Talks and Lectures

Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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!

Talks and Lectures

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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!

Tour

Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Selected dates between 17th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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.

Talks and Lectures

Royal Portraits in the Press

2nd May 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh West

Spanning portraits of Queen Victoria to King Charles III, this lecture taking place at the Abbey Strand Centre, discusses how iconic images are published and remembered.

Talks and Lectures

Fireside Stories: Herbal Histories

9th May 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

Join artist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston for an evening of botanical storytelling inspired by the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 9th May!

ASN

Relaxed Morning: Palace of Holyroodhouse

19th July 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

The Palace of Holyroodhouse offers this relaxed opening on Saturday 19th July. It's a chance to explore the palace in a calm, tranquil atmosphere.

Arts and Crafts

Physic Garden: Flower Arranging

24th July 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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.

Tour

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour

12th August 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh West

Enjoy a BSL tour of Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 12th August!

ASN

Relaxed Evening: Palace of Holyroodhouse

22nd August 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

This relaxed opening on Friday 22nd August, offers a chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a calm, tranquil atmosphere!

Arts and Crafts

Physic Garden: Floral Wreaths

3rd September 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

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!

History and Culture

Military Museum Scotland

Legion Hall Louis Braille Avenue, Wilkieston , Kirknewton EH27 8EJ

Come and learn about the Scottish involvement in the British military from WW1 to the present day at the Military Museum Scotland!

History and Culture

John Knox House

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

Dating back to 1470 John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history!

History and Culture

Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens Princes Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 2HG

Princes Street Gardens lies at centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas.

History and Culture

Museum of Childhood Edinburgh

42 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1TG

The Museum of Childhood has a place in the hearts of millions. The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, it displays toys and...

History and Culture

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh South EH16 4SY

Step inside Edinburgh's other castle, once a rural retreat from Scotland's capital!

History and Culture

Newhailes House and Gardens

Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

Discover 300 years of Scottish history through the magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa that is Newhailes House and Gardens!

History and Culture

The Edinburgh Dungeon

31 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history as you see, hear and errr smell Edinburgh’s murky past!

History and Culture

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JJ

Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years.

History and Culture