Holyrood Park which is also called Queen’s Park, and was formerly known as King’s Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh, Scotland.
Within its 650-acre (260 ha) area it has an array of hills, lochs, glens, ridges, basalt cliffs, and patches of whin (gorse).
The park was formerly a 12th-century royal hunting estate and is associated with the royal palace of Holyroodhouse.
Visit Holyrood Park
To take a trip through 350 million years of history. You can climb the great volcano which forms Arthur’s seat and Salisbury Crags. Imagine huge glaciers as they ploughed their way towards the sea, shaping the landscape you see today.
People have lived here for about 10,000 years – you can still see evidence of their lives: cultivation terraces, rig and furrows made by medieval farmers and quarries used in the 18th century for stone to build houses in Edinburgh and Holyrood Palace.
Come and escape the city to enjoy the peace, quiet and fascinating wildlife that lives here, like generations of people before you.
Historic Scotland manages Holyrood Park. The Park is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its archaeology, geology and wildlife.
Historic Scotland Ranger Service has been established to ensure visitors to Holyrood Park have a safe and enjoyable visit.
You can speak to a Ranger at the Education Centre located in the Park.
Suggested Walks
From Holyrood Car Park, walk through Hunters Bog to The Hawse then turn right (West) along the Radical Road along the bottom of Salisbury Crags. You can investigate the quarries where James Hutton demonstrated his theory which is the basis of modern geology.
Walk approximately one hour duration
From Holyrood Car Park, for Arthurs Seat, follow the High Road past two lochs, the tarmac pavement is steep at times but easy to walk on.
Walk approximately one- two hours duration
Start at Holyrood Palace, walk up the path to the left (East), to Hunters Bog. Head for St Anthony’s Chapel then follow the path up the Dry Dam.
Walk approximately two hours duration
For hours of discovery wander the paths and hollows on Whinny Hill above St Margarets Loch.
The easiest way to the top of Arthur’s Seat is to drive to Dunsapie Loch in the East of the Park and walk straight up to the top.
Walk approximately 20 minutes duration (from Dunsapie Car Park)
From Duddingston Loch, turn right at the gate and up the steps to Dunsapie Crag – site of an Iron Age fort. Walk approximately one hour duration
Please assist the authority by:
- Respecting the wildlife, geology and archaeology by taking only photographs
- Wearing stout footwear as many paths are rough and steep
- Taking litter home
- Respecting other users.
Telephone: 0131 652 8150
Fax: 0131 652 8151
Email: hs.r…@scotland.gov.uk
Location:
Historic Scotland Ranger Service, Holyrood Park Education Centre
1 Queens Drive Holyrood Park
Edinburgh EH8 8HG
Scotland, UK
