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Edinburgh's skyline rises beyond parkland trees, with the Nelson Monument and National Monument crowning Calton Hill.
Edinburgh

Holyrood Park

The royal park beside the Palace of Holyroodhouse: Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags, three lochs and a ruined chapel, in the middle of the city.

Welcome

Few capitals have anything like it.

Walk to the bottom of the Royal Mile, past the palace, and the city simply stops: in its place rises Holyrood Park, a stretch of wild volcanic country with a hill at its heart.

Arthur's Seat is the peak, and Salisbury Crags run in a long cliff above the town. Around them the park holds three lochs, St Margaret's below the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel, little Dunsapie high on the hill, and Duddingston, a nature reserve, on the far side. The land has been bound up with Scotland's kings since King David founded the abbey beside it, and it is cared for now by Historic Environment Scotland.

Queen's Drive circles the park, and the high road is closed to cars, so walkers and cyclists have it to themselves. A free audio guide on the Geotourist app tells the story of its wildlife, its prehistory and its history as you go.

A short drive awaySheep Heid InnPerhaps Edinburgh's oldest pub, in Duddingston village.14 min by roadSee itSheep Heid Inn
Before you go

The park is open at all times and free.

Queen's Drive runs round it, but the high road is closed to cars, so walkers and cyclists have it to themselves. A free audio guide to the park's wildlife, prehistory and history is on the Geotourist app.

Where
Queen's Drive, beside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Cars
The high road is closed to motor traffic; walkers and cyclists can use it.
Audio guide
Free, on the Geotourist app.
Where it is

At the foot of the Royal Mile, east of the Old Town, between the palace and Duddingston.

Close byThe park's hills, lochs and edges.
  1. Arthur’s SeatArthur’s SeatThe 251-metre summit of an old volcano, a real hill walk in the middle of Edinburgh.Under a mile3 min by road
  2. Palace of HolyroodhousePalace of HolyroodhouseThe monarch's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile.2 miles8 min by road
  3. Margaret Hall’s CairnMargaret Hall’s CairnA cairn by Duke's Walk, renamed in 2024 for Margaret Hall.3 miles11 min by road
  4. Duddingston LochDuddingston LochEdinburgh's one natural freshwater loch, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve.4 miles14 min by road
  5. Dr Neil’s GardenDr Neil’s GardenA garden made from 1963 by two doctors above Duddingston Loch.4 miles14 min by road
Directions
Gravel path with stone steps leading towards a grassy hilltop peakAttractionsHolyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat0.9 miles
Old gravestones in a churchyard below Edinburgh tenements and Arthur's SeatAttractionsNew Calton Watchtower1.0 miles over the water
Craigmillar Castle rising above rough grass in Craigmillar Castle Park.AttractionsCraigmillar Castle Park1.1 miles over the water
A turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.EdinburghThe Scott HotelPlace to stay · 1.5 miles
Green door reading "101 Bakery" beside leaf murals and potted plantsCafe101 Bakery1.6 miles
Stairwell with "STEP NO. 2" stencilled beside a waterfall photograph and windowsill plantAttractionsHolyrood Distillery1.8 miles
Black-fronted shop "CONSIDERIT" with red cushions in the windowCafeConsiderit1.8 miles
Angular rusted-metal sculpture rising from a grassy bank beside a curved stone pathAttractionsDynamic Earth1.9 miles
Bookshelves line a bright shop interior, with wooden stools by the windowAttractionsTill’s Bookshop1.9 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the park, and when each is next free.

A turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the park
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the park
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 2 miles from the park
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • 2 miles from the park
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.