top of page
Search

The Palace of Holyroodhouse: Edinburgh’s Royal Home with a Dark Secret

  • Sep 2
  • 2 min read

When most people think of Edinburgh, their minds immediately wander to its towering castle, perched high on the volcanic rock above the city. But travel down the Royal Mile and you’ll discover another royal treasure—the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace isn’t just a stunning residence with manicured gardens and regal halls—it’s a place where history and intrigue are written into the very stones.


The Palace of holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are turrets on either side, with a garden in front that has a hedgerow and purple flowers blooming. The sky overhead is very blue with white clouds.
The Palace of Holyrood House

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official royal residence in Scotland, still used today by King Charles III when he’s in town. The palace has been a seat of power for centuries, serving as the home of Scottish kings and queens, and later as a royal retreat for the monarchs of Great Britain. From lavish state rooms filled with portraits and tapestries to peaceful courtyards and the haunting ruins of Holyrood Abbey, it’s a place that embodies Scotland’s layered history.


The palace of holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. There are turrets on the left and right sides. In front of it is a large, paved drive, and the sky above is gray.

But don’t let the elegant architecture fool you—the palace has a dark past. The Palace of Holyroodhouse isn’t just royal apartments and lovely gardens—it’s also the site of one of Scotland’s most infamous murders. In March of 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots was dining in her private chamber with a few friends, including David Rizzio, her secretary, close friend, and possibly her lover. A group of Scottish Lords, led by her jealous husband, Lord Darnley, charged in and attacked Rizzio. They stabbed him 56 times, then kicked him down the stairs. That very night, they buried him hastily on the grounds of Holyrood Abbey, in an unmarked grave.


Legend says that the bloodstain where they killed him seeped so deep into the floor that it can still be seen today. Visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse can visit the chamber and decide for themselves. Whether it’s legend or truth, standing in that chamber and seeing the stain feels like witnessing history in its rawest form.

Beyond the chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots, there’s more to explore. The State Apartments are beautifully preserved, showcasing centuries of royal history. You’ll walk through the Great Gallery, where portraits of Scottish monarchs line the walls, and you can step into the throne room where formal ceremonies were once held. The contrast between grandeur and tragedy makes Holyroodhouse feel alive, as if the walls still whisper stories from long ago.


A picture of the floor where David Rizzio was murdered; there is a red stain on the floor that looks like blood. A plaque on the wall above it says, "The body of David Rizzio was left here after his murder in Queen Mary's supper room, 9tj march, 1566."

And then, of course, there are the gardens and the abbey ruins. The palace gardens stretch across 10 acres, offering tranquil views of Arthur’s Seat in the distance. It’s hard to believe that such peaceful grounds once bore witness to so much bloodshed. The ruined abbey beside the palace is equally haunting—its skeletal arches are beautiful in their decay, and they serve as a reminder of the long and sometimes turbulent relationship between Scotland’s monarchy and its church. I spent quite a bit of time out there, trying to recreate the structure in my mind, while imagining living there during that time.


Visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse is an experience that feels like stepping back in time. From royal opulence to whispered legends, it’s a place that will linger in your memory long after you’ve walked back up the Royal Mile.

Comments

bottom of page