6/5/2010

It's pretty easy to see why the Royal Mile has its name - at the top end you have the castle, and at the bottom end, you have this place - Holyrood House, the royal palace.

It's a bit expensive to get into - but I do think its worth it. Firstly, the palace itself is amazing, it's quite a shock to see how the other half live. The rooms are luxurious and full of interesting stuff. There is also (on most occasions) some form of exhibition on which houses art, sculptures and various other artifacts connected both to royalty and british history. In the grounds you will often find squads of the queens royal guards marching about, which is a spectacular site.

When the Queen still comes and stays, the palace is shut, but the rest of the time it seems to be open constantly. A real treat for those who love the royal family and british history.

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26/5/2010

Situated at the rectal end of the Royal Mile, next to the Parliament and some surprisingly grotty flats, Holyrood Palace isn't particularly impressive inside or out. It's also not cheap, and Joe Public are charged about 10-15 quid a time to come in and marvel at all the wonderfully opulent furnishings that they paid for with their taxes, but aren't allowed to touch. The palace also sells itself as being the place where the Queen stays when she visits Edinburgh, which is never.

To be fair, her old mother was quite fond of it here before she deservedly became a coffin-dweller. I believe she particularly enjoyed sitting with her corn-ridden feet up on one of the priceless sofas, sinking bottles of gin and humiliating her servants while watching the racing on Channel 4.

And guess who picked up the bill?

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5/5/2010

Located in the opposite end of the Royal Mile to the Castle, and right across the new and controversial Scottish Parliament, this is the official residence of the Royal Family when they visit Edinburgh.
However, when they are not in town it's open to the public.

Although I was a bit put off by the price, (check to see if they do a combined Holyrood and Castle ticket- they used to a year ago when I visited this place) I was quite pleased with the Palace itself, as you wonder from one luxurious room to the next and observe the decor and paintings on the wall and the various functions of each room .I only have a kitchen/sitting room which functions as my main meeting place in my flat so this place truly lives up to what you would imagine a Palace to be like.

There is an audio tour guide included in the price for your walk around- which might explain the steep price (make sure you have figured out how to use it before you enter the Palace so you don't miss out).

So if Royalty is your thing then this is the place for you. Getting a first hand sneak peek of the royals house.  You can even hit up the Parliament briefly on your way out.

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3/5/2010 1 photo

I quite enjoy a bit of the Royal Family and their history. I think it's because I would like to live in a castle or palace. Actually I think Holyrood House would be perfect for me, Queenie has her big house in London and her estate in Balmoral so maybe it's time she let it out to someone like me?

It is rather expensive for a trip round Holyrood House (13 pound for a student... eeeek) so it isn't the top of my list of places to go in Edinburgh. But the Royal Apartments are very beautiful and full of wonderful decor and paintings. In the summer the gardens are open so after viewing the house you can go for a wander around the gardens which are perfectly nice gardens.

If you have an interest in the Royal Family then this is a must do.

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15/1/2009

This is the residence of Queen when she is visiting Scotland. I walked here from near Edinburgh Castle. It was a nice walk. The grounds are beautiful, and their are tons of cool statues to look at. I wanted to walk up the hill and have a hike but I was too tired and wearing suede boots that I didn't want to muddy. I definitely recommend seeing this as part of your Edinburgh experience.

Minus one star for not being allowed to go into the castle and take a nap on the Queen's bed and use her bathroom.

Listed in: Scotland - My Time with the…

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