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SEE SCOTLAND’S CROWN JEWEL PARK

The Palace of Holyroodhouse seen from a distance. Edinburgh, Scotland.
by Hamish Irvine. “The Palace Of Holyroodhouse.” Edinburgh, Scotland.

HOLYROOD PARK AND ARTHUR'S SEAT

Wild natural beauty and refined cultured beauty come together at Holyrood Park, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

On the wild side, this 640 acre Royal Park, adjacent to Holyrood Palace, is home to ancient volcanoes and other geological phenomena, as well as unique flora and fauna. Holyrood Park is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest.

On the cultured side, ancient castles, palaces, chapels, abbeys, and other important buildings stand, some fully intact and in use, others in ruins.

Holyrood Park is must see and must revisit place in Edinburgh. It is a short walk from the Royal Mile in the heart of the city. Whether you go for a pleasant stroll, a taste of royalty, a connection with history, a spectacular hike or climb, you’re bound to see exceptional beauty everywhere you turn.

It’s no wonder this is considered one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, the country that has recently been voted the most beautiful country in the world.

A hiker stands atop the extinct Arthur’s Seat volcano. Edinburgh, Scotland.

ARTHUR’S SEAT

Arthur’s Seat offers the best panoramic views at Holyrood Park. The highest of 4 hills, it part of an ancient volcano that sits 251 meters above sea level. It was the perfect spot to build a fort 2000 years ago. Today, that fort is well preserved and it is the perfect place to stand and gaze over the city.  

Travelers on a path near the monumental rock formation of Arthur’s Seat. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Robert Louis Stevenson called Arthur’s Seat "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design".

Swans swim in the water of Dunsapie Loch. Edinburgh, Scotland.

It is relatively easy to climb Arthur’s Rock from any direction, but the easiest approach is from the east, as you rise up above the beautiful Dunsapie Loch.

The ancient cliffs of Salisbury Crags. Edinburgh, Scotland.

The South Quarry at Salisbury Crags, a 150 foot high series of basalt cliffs, is a cool place for rock climbing.

The Arthur’s Seat Volcano was formed between 341 and 335 million years ago, in the Carboniferous Age. It was shaped by a glacier in just the last 2 million years.

Arthur's Seat rock formation in Holyrood Park. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Calton Hill and the Castle Rock form the other 2 parts of the Arthur’s Seat Volcano. All together, from some angles, this geological wonder resembles a lion couchant, with the extinct volcanic vents making up the “Lion's Head” and the “Lion's Haunch.”

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is an architectural gem. Edinburgh, Scotland.

THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly known as Holyrood Palace, is the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II. It sits adjacent to Holyrood Park, opposite to Edinburgh Castle. The Palace has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since it was built in the 16th century.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse architecture catches light and shadow against a blue sky. Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Palace and its 10-acre grounds are open to the public year round, except when members of the Royal Family are in residence. You’ll know when they are there when you see the Scottish version of the Royal Standard flying.

The Queen spends one week at the beginning of every summer here, entertaining about 8,000 guests at garden parties, teas, and private appointments. Prince Charles also stays at Holyrood for one week a year, carrying out official duties as the Duke of Rothesay. Other members of the royal family visit in less official capacities.

The Ruins of the Abbey Church at Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland.

We can only imagine what the royals might do when they encountered the other Palace resident, the naked ghost Bald Agnes (Agnes Sampson), who was accused of witchcraft and tortured here in 1592.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse viewed from above. Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Palace is a perfect square (230’ x 230’). Built in Baroque style for King Charles II, the architecture includes 2 matching conical-roofed towers, and an inner piazza framed by a colonnade series of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.

St. Margaret's Loch filled with swans. Edinburgh, Scotland.

The 4-hectare Palace gardens offer a magnificent view of Arthur’s Seat. The beautifully manicured grounds house royal gardens, greenhouses, gorgeous fountains, fancy ironwork gates, and ornamental screens

The 19th century guardhouse, school and church were converted in 2002 into the Queen’s Gallery to display art from her Royal Collection.

The carving details of the fountain at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland

When the Palace was excavated in 2006, archaeologists uncovered part of the cloister of Holyrood Abbey, a square 15th century tower built by King James IV, and a treasure trove of ancient artifacts and objects, now on view to the public.

A top corner of the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. Edinburgh, Scotland.Holyroodhouse remains the property of the Crown. Public access is managed by the Royal Collection Trust. Revenues from public visits are funding new development and extensive restoration projects that are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. The projects are in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in the fall as the leaves change from green to yellow. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Now is a beautiful time of year to visit Holyrood Park and Palace as colorful autumn leaves further embellish. The 2017 Red Hill Gravity Enduro, which takes place October 7 - 8, also offers a thrill. Watch 250 cyclists bike up the trails of Arthurs Seat.

Check out the Official Guide To The Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Scotland for a more comprehensive look at this magical place.

The chapel wall at the Holyroodhouse Palace. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Read more about Beautiful Scotland all this week on BeautifulNow.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

Rock formation known as Samson's Ribs is made up of basaltic prisms. Holyrood Park. Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Outdoors at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland.

IMAGE CREDITS:

  1. Image: by Hamish Irvine. “The Palace Of Holyroodhouse.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  2. Image: by Cody Long. “Arthur's Seat.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  3. Image: by Ronnie Macdonald. Arthur's Seat 2. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  4. Image: by byronv2. “Dunsapie Loch.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  5. Image: by byronv2. “Salisbury Crags.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  6. Image: by Ryan Finn. Untitled. Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  7. Image: by Christy Frink. “Palace of Holyroodhouse.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  8. Image: by Timothy Merrill. “The Palace of Holyroodhouse.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  9. Image: by David Bramhall. “Edinburgh.” Palace of Holyroodhouse - Ruins of the Abbey Church. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  10. Image: by James Stringer. The Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  11. Image: by Patrick Down. “St. Margaret's Loch.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  12. Image: by Rebecca Siegel. “Palace of Holyroodhouse - Fountain detail.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  13. Image: by Pip R. Lagenta. Untitled. The ruins of Holyrood Abbey. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  14. Image: by David Bramhall. “Edinburgh.” Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  15. Image: by Tim Milkins. “Holyroodhouse Palace - Chapel Wall.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  16. Image: by David Monniaux. “Holyrood Park, Samson's Ribs basaltic prisms.” Edinburgh, Scotland.
  17. Image: by BN App - Download now!
  18. Image: by David Bramhall. “Edinburgh.” Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh, Scotland.
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