View from Holyrood Park

Category

Library Item

Item no

10878

Title

View from Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, showing Palace of Holyroodhouse

Description

Taken from the slopes of Arthur's Seat this view looks towards the coast of Fife. The landscaped grounds of the Scottish Parliament with its pools and terraces lie to the left beside the grounds of Holyroodhouse. Trees surround the palace. The Firth of Forth can be seen in the distance and the coast of Fife.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2007

Size

27.9 x 18.5 cm

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is the Queen's official residence in Scotland. The site was founded as an Augustian monastery in 1128 by David I, after he had a vision of a stag with a rood or cross on its forehead. In 1501 James IV built a palace close to the Abbey. The Palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots from 1561-1567. It also played host to Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War, during which time it suffered extensive fire damage. It was significantly rebuilt and extended by Charles II, though he never stayed there. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie held court there after seizing control of Edinburgh. Queen Victoria revived its use as a royal residence.

Holyrood Park, otherwise known as Queen's Park, lies to the south east of Holyrood Abbey and Palace. Originally the sanctuary of Holyrood Abbey it later came under royal control and was enclosed by James V in the 1540s. Its dramatic landscape is the product of a combination of volcanic activity approximately 354 million years ago and the movement of glaciers between 1 million and 10,000 years ago. It incorporates several notable features including Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags and the remains of the medieval St Anthony's Chapel. The park also includes Duddingston, St Margaret's and Dunsapie Lochs, the latter two having been created in 1856 as part of Prince Albert's plans to beautify the park. Today the 650 acre park is a popular site for tourists and the city's walkers, runners and cyclists.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Government > National > Parliaments

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Holyrood

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh