Palace of Holyrood House
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, or informally Holyrood Palace, founded as a monastery by David I of Scotland in 1128, has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 15th century. The Palace stands in Edinburgh at the bottom of the Royal Mile.

Holyrood is an anglicisation of the Scots Haly Ruid (Holy Cross).

It dates from 1498 when it was built by James IV, and it has been closely linked with royalty ever since.The Palace is located on the site of Holyrood Abbey, an Augustine monastery dating from1128. The Palace is closely associated with Mary Queen of Scots.   The Palace of Holyroodhouse is now the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II when she is in Scotland, and she is usually in residence for a few weeks in May and July each year.
When the Queen is not there parts of the palace are sometimes open to visitors with guided tours available. You can see several rooms in the State Apartments. The palace is surrounded by the Holyrood Park.

Opening hours

The Palace is open daily

1 April to 31 October
09:30-18:00 (last admission 17:00)

1 November -31 March
09:30-16:30 (last admission 15:30)

The Palace is closed

6 April 2007
25 and 26 December 2007
and during Royal Visits

Admission prices

Palace of Holyroodhouse
(includes an audio tour)

Adult £9.50
Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £8.50
Under 17  £5.50
Under 5 Free
Family (2 adults, 3 under 17s) £24.50