Local History - Holyrood Palace
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Situated at the other end of the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle Holyrood Palace was built on the site of a ruined Augustine abbey. The abbey was built in the early part of the 12th century (Circa 1125) and housed the local brethren of the Augustine monks. The history of the abbey, over the next 370 years, reflected the violent history of Scotland and Edinburgh. It was, at various times, ransacked, re-built, demolished, before, in 1498, James the IV decided to make the site his home. The official name of the Palace is the Palace of Holyrood House, reflecting it's original use as a retreat for James the IV. This name has now been shortened to Holyrood Palace to reflect it's long association with the kings and queens of both Scotland and Britain. Its current use is the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. The abbey's role changed over the years from it's original role of a religious retreat to that of housing important visitors to Edinburgh, it's proximity to Edinburgh Castle, and other important seats of power, ensured that it was in constant use. James the IV, unimpressed by the spartan surroundings and the general state of the abbey, decided to build his own quarters and so built a tower in the grounds of the abbey to give him the comfort he desired. This tower marked the beginning of the construction of the buildings which have become Holyrood Palace, with, over the centuries, various monarchs adding to the original tower. The original tower is no longer present but the tower built by his successor, James the V, is still present. The palace remained largely unoccupied between 1740 and 1820 when, after visiting Edinburgh and using the accommodation, George the IV decided to add new quarters and renovate the old. George the IV decreed Holyrood House, as it was then known, was in no fit state to house royalty so an extensive rebuilding and renovation programme was started which saw Holyrood House transformed into Holyrood Palace. The palace has been in constant use since the days of the late 19th century and is currently a working palace. Although the parts of the palace are open to visitors, many areas are off limits and the whole palace is off limits when royal guests are in residence. |