Holyrood Park is a beautiful and intriguing park, over 650 acres in size, with wild scenery reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, situated in the centre of Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. Holyrood Palace, the official is situated at the edge of Holyrood Park
The park is dominated by the twin peaks of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags, which reward those willing to undertake the relatively accessible climb with panoramic views of the city. Some believe that Arthur’s seat, an extinct volcano and the highest peak in the park, gained it’s name from one of the many legends of King Arthur, while others believe it is derived from ‘archer’s seat’, acknowledging the importance of the vantage point when defending the city. The park attracts many tourists and locals who want to escape the bustle of the city. It provides a remarkably diverse landscape, with dramatic hills to climb, wide open spaces perfect for flying kites or playing football, and 3 small lochs, St. Margaret's, Duddingston and Dunsapie, which are home to a large population of swans, geese and ducks.
At the bottom of the historic Royal Mile, opposite the controversial new Scottish Parliament Building and on the edge of Holyrood Park visitors can find Holyrood Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II when she is in Scotland and home to many of the kings and queens of Scotland through the centuries. The Palace dates mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries, although the ruined Holyrood Abbey that stands in the grounds of the palace dates back to the 12th century. Holyrood Palace is particularly famous for its connections with Mary Queen of Scots who was married there in 1565 and in the same year witnessed, in the northern turret room of the palace, the murder of coutier David Rizzio, with whom she was rumoured to be having an affair, at the hand of her husband, Lord Darnley. Holyrood Palace is open daily for guided tours, except when members of the Royal Family are in residence. The newly opened Queen’s Gallery is also open daily and has a world-class programme of exhibitions for visitors to enjoy.
Edinburgh offers a full range of quality accommodation for the visitor, whatever their budget – although it should be noted that the city becomes particularly busy during the month of August, due to the world-famous Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, when accommodation should be booked well in advance. Edinburgh is a remarkable city where is it possible to be both within easy reach of the city centre and the wilds of Holyrood Park. Any accommodation in the city’s old town is but a short walk from Holyrood Palace. The Apex Hotel is in the heart of the bustling Grassmarket, yet an energetic visitor could walk from the hotel to the top of Arthur’s Seat in about 45 minutes! Self catering accommodation in the area is an excellent option, given the range of world-class restaurants and shops available. 103/6 Canongate Apartments is only minutes away from Holyrood Palace.
A little further from the centre of the city, there are still plenty of accommodation options within easy reach of Holyrood’s scenery. Newington, in the south of the city, provides easy access to the southern edge of Holyrood Park and is still less than 2 miles from the city centre.
Newington’s many traditional Guest Houses and B&Bs, such as the Southside Guest House and Clan Walker Guest House, offer comfortable accommodation and many provide traditional Scottish breakfast to set the visitor up for a day of walking! Yet further out of town, the area of Duddingston on the eastern side of the park has the feeling of a village even though it is only approximately a 30-minute walk through the Holyrood Park to Holyrood Palace and the city centre. Guest Houses such as Aynetree Guest House and Ardblair Guest House offer traditional and tranquil accommodation. The nearby Sheep Heid Pub is said to be the oldest public house in Scotland, serves traditional food and even has an old-fashioned skittle alley that patrons can hire for an hour while they sample the traditional ales and malt whiskys on offer!
Accommodation: Guest House 126 Old Dalkeith Road Edinburgh Scotland
The Arden is a quality guest house which as been tastefully decorated to an excellent level, giving a warm and comfortable atmosphere. We are in the east of the city close to Craigmillar Castle and Little France. We are in the perfect place for visiting the city centre and the new Royal Infirmary. We are a twenty-five minute walk from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, while Holyrood Palace, Royal Yacht Britannia, many golf courses and all the other parts of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh are within easy reach. We are close to shops, pubs and good restaurants and entertainment venues. We have ample car parking for our guests.
Accommodation: Guest House 12 Gilmore Place Edinburgh Scotland
This guest house provides comfortable accommodation just a ten minute walk from Edinburgh’s famous Prince’s Street. All of the city centre’s major attractions are within easy reach, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and many historic monuments. There are excellent bus links just minutes from the guest house, allowing guests to visit places outside the city centre such as Edinburgh Zoo.
Accommodation: Guest House 12 Osborne Terrace Edinburgh Scotland
Ashgrove House is a beautiful Victorian town house built in 1858 which still has many traditional features. The family-run accommodation is well decorated to an excellent standard with comfortable en-suite rooms. Private parking is available. All our facilities, including the sitting room, are reserved for the use of guests. We serve a delicious traditional full Scottish breakfast in our beautiful dining room with a view of the garden and beyond to Donaldson’s College. We have an impressive lounge for guests to relax.
Accommodation: Guest House 12 Duddingston Crescent Edinburgh Scotland
We are a family owned and run Guest House with a large detached Victorian house, with parking availabiliity for six cars. We are centrally located, all rooms are en-suite, with the exception of one which has a large and private bathroom. The guest house is an ideal base from which to explore this beautiful city, with famous Prince’s Street, the Castle and the Royal Mile situated nearby.
Accommodation: Guest House 34 Gilmore Place Edinburgh Scotland
Balmore house is a perfect place with a traditional georgian building full of characters. Balmore guest house situated in city centre near West End close to princes street, Edinburgh castle, royal mile, the palace, EICC and many other historical attraction. There are many fine restaurants only a short walk away. Balmore house is on a direct bus route, we are convenient to reach all parts of the Edinburgh city like botanic gardens, royal yacht britannia, most of other Edinburgh's attractions are accessible on foot. We have private car parking and you can therefore leave the car and enjoy a stress-free, sightseeing.
Accommodation: Guest House 36 Minto Street Edinburgh Scotland
Bellerose Guest House is located on the south side of Edinburgh, a short drive from the city centre. The guest house has a two star rating from the Scottish Tourist Board and provides comfortable accommodation in Twin, Double and Family rooms. Room facilities include central heating, a television and refreshments. Hairdryers and ironing facilities are also available at reception.
Accommodation: Guest House 3 Craigmillar Park Edinburgh Scotland
Welcome to Ben Craig Guest House, a beautiful Victorian villa conveniently located in Edinburgh’s vibrant south side, a good range of local amenities, and are also within easy reach of all of Edinburgh’s most famous attractions, of the historic Old Town, the Scottish Parliament Buildings, the Museum of Scotland, numerous art galleries and many more places of interest. Our rooms are tastefully decorated to a high standard, all have en-suite facilities. Children aged three years and under stay free and cots are available on request. There are excellent bus links on the doorstep, perfect for exploring this most magical of cities.
Accommodation: Guest House 8 Minto Street Edinburgh Scotland
Blossom House is located in the Newington area of Edinburgh, just one mile from the city centre. The house is a traditional Victorian building and provides comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation. All of the bedrooms have private en-suite bathrooms, as well as a television and tea and coffee making facilities. Some of the bedrooms have views of Arthur’s Seat.
Accommodation: Guest House 30 Liberton Brae Edinburgh Scotland
Brae Lodge Guest House is located just outside Edinburgh city centre in a quiet area called Liberton. There are many bus services to the city centre and the journey takes approximately ten minutes. The Guest House has a three star Scottish Tourist Board rating and is non-smoking throughout. We have a private parking for our residents, we serve a delicious traditional Scottish breakfast which include haggis.
Accommodation: Guest House 10 Saint John's Road Edinburgh Scotland
Braemar guest house have a spacious lovely Victorian house with a very high standard of decoration and service. We welcome you to our guest house and we will do our best to make you comfortable and enjoy your holiday. The Braemar Guest House is just two minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Zoo and a short walk from Murrayfield Rugby Stadium. We are close to good restaurants, pubs, cafés, shops and leisure facilities. There are many other attractions, like museums, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and other historical places nearby. In Edinburgh, there are a number of golf courses, where you can play a few games. We provide a traditional full Scottish cooked breakfast or a Continental breakfast and can cater for vegetarian guests. We have private car parking for our guests.
Accommodation: Guest House 18 Craigmillar Park Edinburgh Scotland
Brothaigh House is a family run Victorian guest house and it is located in Newington, on the south side of Edinburgh. We are located just ten minutes from Edinburgh city centre on one of the numerous bus routes that pass our door. We have double, twin and family rooms, all en-suite with TV, hospitality trays and hairdryers. has plenty of visitor attractions to enjoy such as museums, art galleries, historic monuments and beautiful buildings. The famous areas of Prince’s Street and the Royal Mile are a short distance away.
Accommodation: Guest House 67 Gilmore Place Edinburgh Scotland
We welcome you to our guest house, a lovely Victorian house in the city centre of Edinburgh. We will give you all the information you need to plan your visit to our popular historical capital city. We are one mile from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, the West End of Princes Street, theatres and museums. There are also many shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés on our doorstep. We provide a full Scottish breakfast in our spacious lounge. A vegetarian option is always available and we can make a packed lunch on request.
