Holyrood

You will find Holyrood immediately to the east of Edinburgh city centre, at the end of The Royal Mile; its name is an anglicisation of the Scots 'haly ruid', holy cross.

Home to both the Scottish Parliament (established 1998) and the Palace of Holyroodhouse - official residence of the monarch, Our Dymanic Earth; all by Holyrood Park. You can drive, cycle, or if you're feeling especially energetic, run around Arthur's Seat. Particularly fine in the spring, on your journey you will pass two lochs complete with swans (well what did you expect, Holyrood Park is also known as Queen's Park, and in the UK the monarch still retains the right of ownership over mute swans in open waters).

Holyrood Park is yet another remarkable Edinburgh green space, not flat like The Meadows, where you will find the Taste of Edinburgh Festival. Instead it centres on Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags, the 'crag and tail' formation created by glacial erosion of surrounding areas, like Castle Rock (on which Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Mile are built).

Vistors and residents alike are out in Holyrood Park en masse when festival season comes around, with long evenings. Flexible festival accommodation is a must, and self-catering Edinburgh apartments would be perfect, so then you can prepare your own picnic, or even arrange babysitting and enjoy a long night out on the town!

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