The official residence of the monarch in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or Holyrood Palace as it is known, and the adjacent abbey has been associated with royalty for nearly 900 years.

A favored residence of Scotland’s rulers, it’s unsurprisingly been the scene of important and dramatic events in Scottish history.

Here’s a look at some of the most momentous events in the history of Holyroodhouse.

Timeline

1128

King David I was hunting in the forest when he fell from his horse and a stag came to gorge him. Suddenly, a cross (the ‘holy rood’) appeared between the stag’s antlers and the animal fled.

David founded an Augustinian Abbey on the spot, in thanksgiving for having had his life spared.

Whatever the truth, the abbey was one of the new ecclesiastic centers David founded as part of the reforms he introduced to Scotland after becoming king. David’s reforms helped bring Celtic Scotland into the high Middle Ages.

Today: Holyrood Abbey is now ruins located next to the palace. The only part original to David’s time is the East Processional Doorway.

1328

Signed between Scotland and England, the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton was signed at Holyrood Abbey, ending the First Scottish War of Independence that had begun in 1296.

Per the terms of the treaty, England would recognize Scotland as a fully independent kingdom, with Robert Bruce and his heirs as the rightful rulers.

While earlier Scottish monarchs may have stayed at Holyrood, the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton provides the first definitive evidence of the location’s use as royal residence; according to documentation, the treaty was signed in the King’s Chamber, indicating that the monarch had rooms designated for his use.

1437

James II was crowned at Holyrood Abbey. It was the first time a Scottish monarch was crowned outside of the traditional coronation location at Scone.

The coronation wasn’t James’ only significant event to take place at Holyrood. He was born here in 1430, married here in 1449, and finally was buried here in 1460 after being accidentally killed by a canon.

1501

James IV orders the building of a new permanent palace to replace the abbey guesthouse.

Today: The palace has undergone extensive renovations over the years. The oldest part of the palace that survives today is James V’s Tower, dating from around 1528.

1503

James IV marries Margaret Tudor, the plucky sister of Henry VIII of England, at Holyrood Abbey.

It was through Margaret that Scottish monarchs could lay claim to the English throne. This was finally achieved by Margaret’s great-grandson, James VI, who became King of England after the death of the childless Elizabeth I, his first cousin twice removed.

1561 – 1567

Several dramatic events in the tragic life of Mary, Queen of Scots, took place at Holyrood.

Having been raised in France, the devoutly Catholic Mary returned to a Protestant Scotland in 1561 after the death of her first husband. The preacher John Knox played a large role in converting the country. Mary invited Knox for a series of interviews at Holyrood, debating him on matters of theology; the debates sometimes left Mary in tears.

Mary married her second husband, the pompous and petulant Lord Darnley, at Holyrood Abbey in 1565.

It didn’t take long for Darnley to show his true unhinged nature. Insulted that Mary hadn’t given him the power he craved, the easily persuadable Darnley fell into the hands of rebellious Protestant nobles.

In 1566, Darnley and a group of nobles surprised Mary while she was eating with a small group of friends, bursting into the room via a small staircase. Accusing Mary of an adulterous affair with her Italian secretary David Rizzio, Darnley and the nobles dragged Rizzio from behind Mary and brought him to the adjacent room where they stabbed him 50 times. Mary was restrained by one of the nobles who pointed a gun at the pregnant Mary’s belly.

Darnley did not long survive Rizzio’s murder; he was mysteriously strangled a few months later. Mary married the accused murderer at Holyrood Palace shortly afterwards. Whether she married willingly or unwillingly remains a matter of debate.

Today: You can visit Mary’s private apartments, including the supper room she was eating in when Rizzio was taken to be murdered, the stairs used by Darnley and the rebels, and the blood-stained floor where Rizzio was killed.

Want to find more place associated with Mary, Queen of Scots? Check out In the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots!

1745

After a period of relative neglect, Holyrood Palace returned to a brief period of prominence when Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, came to Edinburgh and made Holyrood Palace the center of his “court.”

Charlie was looking to seize the British throne on behalf of his father, who was a son of the exiled King James II (& VI of Scotland). Counting on the support of the Scottish clans, his initial success allowed him to enter Edinburgh triumphantly. After his stay in Edinburgh, however, his luck turned and he was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Today: You can visit the Great Gallery, where Charlie would hold audiences and balls.

1822

George IV became the first reigning monarch to visit Scotland since Charles I nearly 200 years earlier. He wore highland dress for the occasion, helping to revive the tartan industry.

George also ordered refurbishment of the palace, while instructing that the historic apartments, including those of Mary, Queen of Scots, be preserved.

19^th century

Scottish and British royals weren’t the only ones to have stayed at Holyrood. The future Charles X of France lived here for a few years after escaping the French Revolution. He took advantage of a sanctuary law that allowed him to avoid his creditors.

Charles returned to Holyrood again in 1830, following his second exile from France during the July Revolution. He was accompanied by several members of his family. They remained at Holyrood for two years, before moving to Prague.

2022

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was placed overnight in the Throne Room of Holyrood Palace before being brought to St. Giles Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving.

The half-Scottish Elizabeth died at her home in Balmoral, the first monarch to die in Scotland since James V in 1542.

How to Visit Holyrood Palace and Abbey

Opening times

9:30am – 4:30pm with last admission at 3:15pm, 1 November to 31 March

9:30am – 6:00pm, with last admission at 4:30pm, 1 April to 31 October

*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays most of the year, expect in July, August, and September, when the palace is open 7 days a week

*The palace also closes for 1 week every late June / early July when the king comes to stay.

Ticket prices

If booking online in advance:

Adult: £22.00

Young Person (18-24): £14.00

Child (5-17): £11.00

Disabled: £11.00

Access companion: Free

Under 5: Free

If purchasing the day of your visit:

Adult: £26.00

Young Person (18-24): £17.00

Child (5-17): £13.00

Disabled: £13.00

Access companion: Free

Under 5: Free

*Multimedia guide included in the price of the ticket

Check the official website for the most up to date prices

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