Edinburgh, Scotland September 13, 2018
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: The entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Gardens at The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: The gardens surrounding the palace are lovely.
Gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: Paved walks bordered by lush green grass meander throughout the 10 acres.
Augustinian Holyrood Abbey
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "The ruined Augustinian Holyrood Abbey that stands next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse was founded in 1128 at the order of King David I. It was the site of important administration with use by the Parliament of Scotland meeting several times between 1256 and 1310. Before that a Papal legate was received here in 1177, while in 1189 a council of nobles met to discuss a ransom for the captive William the Lion. In 1328, the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton was signed by Robert the Bruce in the 'King's Chamber' at the Abbey, indicating that it may have been already in use as a royal residence" - Wikipedia
The gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "Queen Elizabeth II spent one week each year in residence at Holyroodhouse during the summer, where she carried out a range of official engagements and ceremonies" - Wikipedia
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "The palace was architected in a 3 story quadrangle layout" - Wikipedia
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "The palace was designed by Sir William Bruce and was built between 1671 - 1678 to include 289 rooms over 87, 120 square feet" - Wikipedia
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle" - Wikipedia
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: The only time the palace is not open to the public is when the Queen is in residence, and unfortunately, we timed it just right and could not enter the palace interior.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "Following her death at Balmoral Castle in September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was transported to Holyroodhouse where she lay in repose in the Throne Room September 11-12 before being taken by procession to St. Giles' Cathedral" - Wikipedia
Cathedral at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "In 1731, David II became the first of several kings to be buried at Holeyrood Abbey, and James II was born, crowned, married, and buried there. James III and Margaret of Denmark were married at Holyrood in 1469. The early royal residence was in the abbey guesthouse and by the later 15th century, the king occupied dedicated royal lodgings" - Wikipedia
18th Century History
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "After the union of Scotland and England in 1707, the palace lost its principal functions. However, it briefly became a royal palace once again when Charles Edward Stuart, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' set up court at the palace for 6 weeks in September and October of 1745 during the Jacobite Rising" - Wikipedia
20th Century History
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "In the early 1900s, King George V transformed Holyroodhouse into a modern palace with the installation of central heat, electric lights, modern kitchens, a lift and new bathrooms" - Wikipedia
Architecture
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "The quadrangle-shaped palace is bordered on the ends by a pair of circular, angular turrets. The palace remains the property of the Crown and public access is managed by the Royal Collection Trust. The Scottish Government is responsible for conservation and maintenance of the palace through The Historic Environment of Scotland" - Wikipedia
A busy intersection
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: A busy street intersection in Old Town.
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: One can see the spires of St. Giles Cathedral ahead on the left.
Adam Smith & St. Giles Cathedral
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "To the left is a statue of Adam Smith - a philospher and economist, best known as the author of 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations', one of the most influential books ever written. Smith, 1723-1790 was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife and studied at Glasgow and Oxford Universities" - Edinburgh World Heritage. The statue was unveiled July 4, 2008 which is located in front of St. Giles Cathedral. "The historic church, built by King David I in 1124, is still an active parish church today and also hosts concerts, special services and other events. Prior to the Reformation, St. Giles was the only parish church in Edinburgh, located in Old Town. On September 12, 2022, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was taken to the cathedral for 24 hours, allowing the people of Scotland to pay their respects. That evening, the Queen's children held a vigil at the cathedral, a custom known as the Vigil of Princes" - Wikipedia
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: A look down the Royal Mile in Old Town.
Tron Kirk Spire
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "A well-known landmark on the Royal Mile, the spire is part of a parish church built in 1637. The church ceased functioning in 1952 but was used as a tourist information center in the mid 2000s and more recently was the site of the Edinburgh World Heritage Exhibition and John Kay's book and gift shop" - Wikipedia
Busy Street
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: Looking up the Royal Mile, you can see the flag of the Edinburgh Castle in the distance.
David Hume Statue
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: "The statue of David Hume (1711-1776) was completed in 1995 and placed in front of the High Court Building on the Royal Mile. It has been said that 'Hume was one of the most influential thinkers of all time'" - Royal-Mile.com. "Hume was born in Edinburgh and was a prolific writer of British history and economic theory. His ideas and theories were a significant tribute to the period of Scottish Enlightenment. Those that rub the statue's toe are said to gain good luck or wisdom and insight from Hume himself" - edinburghexpert.com. It shouldn't be of any surprise that David Hume and Adam Smith were colleauges and close friends.
Stautes on The Royal Mile
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: The Royal Mile with a front view of the St. Giles Cathedral. "The monument in front is of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, Walter Francis Scott born in 1808. He was only 13 when he inherited the title and being so young, he was appointed a guardian who was none other than Sir Walter Scott, the famous author of whom there is no familial relation. The 5th duke died in 1884 and the memorial erected in 1888" - Ouredinburghfriends.scot
Old Town
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: A corner in Old Town, Edinburgh.
Old Town
Edinburgh, Scotland - September 13, 2018: Lots of shops and restaurants in Old Town.
Our hotel in Edinburgh.
Very convenient to Old Town. We walked everywhere and never took transportation until the day we left Scotland.