Photo: David Monniaux / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Holyrood Park is an archaeological site in City of Edinburgh, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Holyrood Park
In 1541 James V had the land around Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags and Duddingston Crags enclosed within a stone wall, creating Holyrood Park.
The park covers 650 acres on the edge of Edinburgh's Old Town, built around an extinct volcano that forms the city's highest point.
Several lochs, a ruined medieval chapel and miles of crag and moorland sit within the park.
Historic Environment Scotland cares for it today.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Holyrood Park
The ground had been a royal hunting estate attached to the neighbouring Palace of Holyroodhouse long before James V's wall went up in 1541. Its official name was confirmed by the Holyrood Park Regulations of 1959, though it has long been known colloquially as the King's Park or Queen's Park depending on the sex of the reigning monarch.
Architecture of Holyrood Park
The ruined St Anthony's Chapel stands above St Margaret's Loch and is thought to date from the medieval period. Queen's Drive, the road that loops through the park, was laid out to allow visitors to tour the crags and hills by carriage.
Worth knowing
Arthur's Seat gave its name to one of Edinburgh's stranger mysteries. In 1836, two boys searching for rabbit burrows on its slopes found miniature wooden coffins hidden in a rock crevice, each containing a tiny carved figure. The purpose of these objects remains unexplained.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Holyrood Park
Nearest station: Edinburgh Rail Station (0.8 miles)
Open all year
Places to visit near Holyrood Park
Gladstone's Land
View Gladstone's Land on heritage mapTrinity House of Leith
View Trinity House of Leith on heritage mapThe Georgian House
View The Georgian House on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Holyrood Park there are 13 historic properties, including 4 historic buildings, 3 historic houses and 2 castles, across Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of Holyrood Park there are 27 historic properties, including 8 historic houses, 5 historic sites and 4 castles, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Within 20 miles of Holyrood Park there are 54 historic properties, including 16 historic houses, 11 castles and 8 historic buildings, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Facts
A stretch of Highland wilderness, extinct volcano included, a mile from Edinburgh Castle.
- Type
- archaeological site
- Location
- City of Edinburgh, Scotland
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