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Holyrood Palace

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Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse is the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh. Founded in 1498 by James IV, Holyrood Palace has witnessed some of the most dramatic episodes in Scottish History. One of the most famous faces to be involved with Holyrood Palace is that of Mary Queen of Scots.

It is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile, the mile long street that links it to the other royal establishment -- Edinburgh Castle. It was therefore appropriate that the new Scottish Parliament was built in such distinguished company.

The apartments of Mary Queen of Scots at Holyrood including the spot where Rizzio was stabbed 57 times are open to visitors. The Palace at Holyrood is of elegant design. In the main court there is a copy of the ornamental stone fountain in Linlithgow Palace.

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Beautiful historic building
Holyrood Abbey
Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh
Interior court

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Further Information: Holyrood Abbey, now a ruins, has a history that spans 800 years. The Abbey witnessed many royal events -- weddings, births, crown ceremonies and funerals. Once restored in 1758, Holyrood Abbey again became a ruin once more when the stone roof collapsed due to a hurricane and has been like that ever since.
Please Note: Holyrood Palace is closed to the public when the Queen or other members of the Royal family visit Edinburgh for several weeks in the summer -- most probably late June and early July -- but it is open the rest of the year.