Royal Collection Trust looks after the Royal Collection, one of the most important art collections in the world, and manages the public opening of the official residences of His Majesty the King. Through our work, from exhibitions and learning programmes to publications and retail products, we aim to ensure that the Royal Collection and Palaces are valued and enjoyed by everyone.
FIT Standard entrance (1-9 pax)
Standing at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official home of His Majesty The King in Scotland, and is used by His Majesty for State ceremonies and official entertaining.
The Palace has been a royal residence for over 500 years and is closely associated with Scotland’s rich history. A visit to the Palace includes the Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, which were the setting for many dramatic episodes in her short and turbulent reign, including the brutal murder of her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, by her husband, Lord Darnley. Her Bedchamber has been described as ‘the most famous room in Scotland’.
In the Palace’s State Apartments, visitors can see the magnificent Great Gallery, where Bonnie Prince Charlie held lavish balls when he set up his Jacobite Court at the Palace in September 1745. The State Apartments today reflect the changing tastes of successive monarchs, and are renowned for their fine plasterwork ceilings and unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries. They are furnished with numerous works of art from the Royal Collection, many of which have long associations with Holyrood house and Scotland.
A visit to the Palace includes the opportunity to explore the ruins of Holyrood Abbey and the Palace’s unique gardens, which are set against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat. A newly created physic garden situated on the Abbey Strand contains a colourful array of medicinal and culinary plants inspired by some of the earliest recorded gardens on the site. At the Café at the Palace, visitors can enjoy home-made dishes made from locally sourced produce, from light refreshments and lunch to afternoon tea.
SCHEDULE: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
21/05/26-07/09/26: Daily
CLOSURES: 19/01, 14/05-18/05, 26/06-03/07, 25-26/12/26
NOTES:
A pre-booked timeslot is now essential for all visits.
Please note that the Holyrood Abbey will be closed from 23/02/26-12/03/26
On 01/01, the palace will be open at 11:00
A self-guided multimedia system in now in place and guides are no longer permitted to guide in the palace.
Due to essential building conservation work, Mary, Queen of Scots’ historic chambers will be closed from 15/01/26-09/02/26.
Instead, visitors will be able to experience the West Drawing Room, which is not normally open to the public.
As a working royal palace sometimes closures can happen at short notice. Please visit the website for more information: https://www.rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse
