The Palace of Holyroodhouse: Official Souvenir Guide

by Deborah Clarke

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. This fine baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history and perhaps is best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. Mary was married at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising, as a refuge after the French Revolution for the future Charles X of France. From the time of the visit of George IV in 1822, it became one of the foremost attractions of the Scottish capital. This lavish guide provides a fascinating insight into the history of this spectacular site.

Genres: History, Travel, Nonfiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2012

Reviews

[K.S. Trenten]

I got this guide when I visited Holyroodhouse Palace myself. It offers detailed pictures of what’s open to the public (and what isn’t always), a little of the various rooms’ history, the making of the palace itself, and the various artists involved in the process. I learned a little more Scottish history as I read this, how it overlapped and diverged with English history. Certain events I was already familiar with (since I’d read some of Mary Stewart’s history in other books), others I learned about for the first time. The pictures in this volume are vivid, gorgeous, and is a splendid souvenir to take away from the palace (you’re not allowed to take pictures inside), as well as an educational accompaniment to visits to this location.

[Timo]

Very nice history of the house I visited years ago. Good pictures, very detailed pieces of history. Can not say I learned something, but I enjoyed reading this one.

[Mark Einselen]

This brief book overviews the history and contents of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. A floor plan on the final page gives context to the arrangement of the various rooms and features.

[Jessica]

One of the better guides, a great deal of history and information!