Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse review

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has its origins in the Abbey of Holyrood (now picturesque ruins), established in 1128 by David I. When Edinburgh was confirmed as the nation's capital city, royal quarters were built adjacent to the abbey and have been gradually upgraded and renovated over the years. It's still used by the Queen as an official residence. When she's elsewhere, parts of the building are open to the public, as an audio tour details the history of a series of plush bedrooms, galleries and dining rooms.

The intricate and ornate entrance to the Queen's Gallery leads most visitors to expect a rather grand, ornate and old-fashioned room; in fact, the interior is surprisingly contemporary. Made up of a series of flexible spaces, the gallery hosts a changing programme of exhibitions from the Royal Collection, with a focus on works from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. There's also computer access to an e-Gallery, with interactive online exhibition catalogues and details of other works from the collection.