Holyrood Palace and Arthur [Arthur's] Seat

Category

Library Item

Item no

6703

Title

Holyrood Palace and Arthur [Arthur's] Seat

Description

Nestling beneath Salisbury Crags and the hill of Arthur's seat are the Palace and Abbey of Holyrood in Edinburgh. To the front of the Palace a fountain can be seen in the courtyard. The remains of the Abbey are to the back of the Palace. In the foreground of the image are the roofs of houses in the Canongate which lie just outside the area of Holyrood Park.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1868

Size

10.7 x 16.7 cm

Type

Photograph

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.

Arthur's Seat is the remains of a now extinct volcano which rises 250 metres (823 feet) above Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Remains of an Iron Age Hill fort were found on the east side of the hill. The origins of the peak's name have been somewhat lost. One theory is that it is a corruption of the gaellic Ard-na-saith, meaning height of arrows, indicating a past usage as a practice place for archery. Arthur's Seat is also known as the Lion's Head.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Landscape > Land > Hills

Places > Edinburgh areas > Holyrood

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Parks

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