Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland
P. 74
72 SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION EDINBURGH 73
the murder of her trusted Italian e Scottish been extinct for 350 million
secretary, David Rizzio, author Parliament years. The area has been a royal
ized by her jealous hus band, hunting ground since at least
Lord Darnley. She was six Holyrood. Tel 0131 348 5200. the time of King David I, who
months pregnant when she Open 10am–5pm Mon, Fri & Sat, died in 1153, and a royal park
witnessed the murder, during 9am–6:30pm Tue–Thu. 8 7 since the 16th century.
∑ parliament.scot
which Rizzio’s body was pierced The name Holyrood, which
“with fiftysix wounds”. Following decades of Scottish means “holy cross”, comes from
In the early stages of calls for more political an episode in the life of David I
the Jacobite uprising of selfdetermination, a 1997 when, in 1128, he was knocked
1745 (see p49), the last referendum on the from his horse by a stag while
of the pretenders to issue of whether or out hunting. Legend has it that
the British throne, not to have a Scottish a cross appeared miraculously
Charles Edward Parliament, with in his hands to ward off the
Stuart (Bonnie Prince some powers animal and, in thanksgiving, the
Charlie) held court devolved from the king founded the Abbey of the
at Holyroodhouse, UK Parliament in Holy Cross, Holyrood Abbey. The
dazzling Edinburgh London, resulted in name Arthur’s Seat is probably
society with his a majority “yes” vote a corruption of Archer’s Seat, a
A view from Edinburgh Castle across the towers and spires of the city to Calton Hill in the distance magnificent parties. (see p51). Designed more prosaic explanation for
Tours of the State by the late Enric the name than any link with
0 Calton Hill victory at Trafalgar was com- of a Scottish missionary who and Historic apart Miralles, known for the legendary King Arthur.
pleted, in 1816. Named the died there. ments are given his work on build ings The park has three small
City centre east, via Waterloo Pl.
Nelson Monument, the tower The final resting place of throughout the day James V’s arms, at the 1992 Barcelona lochs. St Margaret’s near the
Calton Hill, at the east end is designed to resemble a tele- Thomas Hamilton is the Old from April to October Holyroodhouse Olympics, the Palace is the most romantic,
of Princes Street, has one of scope standing on its end. It Calton Cemetery, south of or take an audio tour; Parliament building with its resident swans and
Edinburgh’s most memor able provides a fine van tage point Waterloo Place, which he both are included in the price of was opened in October 2004 position under the ruins of
and baffling landmarks – a half- from which to admire the shares with philosopher David your ticket. The Queen’s Gallery by Queen Elizabeth II. It’s well St Anthony’s Chapel. Dunsapie
finished Parthenon. Conceived views of Edinburgh and Hume and other celebrated displays changing exhibitions worth taking one of the regular Loch is the highest, sitting 112 m
as the National Monument the surrounding area. Edinburgh residents. from the Royal Collection. tours of this architecturally (367 ft) above sea level under
to the dead of the Napoleonic The Classical theme contin ues exciting public building. Arthur’s Seat. Duddingston
Wars, building began in 1822 on top of Calton Hill with the P Nelson Monument w Our Dynamic Loch, on the south side of the
but funds ran out and it was old City Observatory, designed Tel (0131) 556 2716. Open Apr–Sep: r Holyrood Park park, is home to a large number
never finished. Public shame by William Playfair in 1818 and 10am–7pm Mon–Sat, noon–5pm Sun; Earth of wildfowl.
over its condition has given based on Athens’ Tower of the Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm Mon–Sat & Holyrood Rd. Tel (0131) 550 7800. and Arthur’s Seat The Salisbury Crags are
way to affection, as attitudes Winds. At present it is closed to ∑ edinburghmuseums.org.uk Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5:30pm daily Main access via Holyrood Park Rd, among the park’s most striking
have softened over the last the public, but it’s still worth a (to 6pm Jul & Aug); Nov–Mar: 10am– Holyrood Rd and Meadowbank features. Their dramatic profile,
170 years or so. trip to see the impressive exterior. q Palace of 5:30pm Wed–Sun. & 8 9 7 - Terrace. along with that of Arthur’s
Fortunately, the nearby tower Another Classical building, the = ∑ dynamicearth.co.uk Seat, can be seen from many
commemorating the British Royal High School, was created Holyroodhouse Holyrood Park, adjacent to the kilometres away. The Crags
during the 1820s on East end of the Royal Mile. Tel (0131) Our dynamic earth is a Palace of Holyrood house, covers form a parabola of red cliffs
the Regent Road side 556 5100. Open 9:30am–6pm daily (to permanent exhibition about over 2.6 sq km (1 sq mile) that sweep round and up from
of Calton Hill. It was 4:30pm Nov–Mar). & ^ in palace. the planet. Visitors are taken of varying terrain, topped by the Palace of Holyroodhouse,
designed by Thomas 7 8 - ∑ royalcollection.org.uk on a journey from the earth’s a rugged 250m (820ft) hill. above a steep supporting
Hamilton, with the volcanic beginnings to the first Known as Arthur’s Seat, the hillside. A rough track, called the
Temple of Theseus at Known today as Queen Elizabeth appearance of life. Further hill is actually a volcano that has Radical Road, follows their base.
Athens in mind. Often II’s official Scot tish residence, the displays concentrate on the
cited as a possible Palace of Holyroodhouse was world’s climatic zones and
home for a Scottish built by James IV in the grounds dramatic natural phenom ena
Parliament, the building of an abbey in 1498. It was such as tidal waves and
was the focus for later the home of James V and earthquakes. Stateoftheart
the Vigil for Scottish his wife, Mary of Guise, and was lighting and interactive tech
Democracy, which remodelled in the 1670s for niques produce the special
campaigned from Charles II. The Royal Apart ments effects for 90 minutes of
1992 to 1997 for self (including the Throne Room learning and entertainment.
government. A discreet and Royal Dining Room) are The exhibition building is
cairn marking this effort used for investitures and for fronted by a 1,000seat stone
stands a little way banquets whenever the Queen amphitheatre designed by
east of the National visits the palace. A chamber in Sir Michael Hopkins, and it
Monument on Calton the so-called James V tower is incorporates a translucent tented
Hill. The cairn contains famously associated with the roof. Situated beneath Salisbury
several “gift” stones, unhappy reign of Mary, Queen of Crags, the modern lines of Our
including one from Scots (see p48). It was probably in Dynamic Earth contrast sharply
City Observatory, based on Classical Greek architecture Auschwitz in memory this room, in 1566, that Mary saw with the natural landscape. Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags, looming above the city
For hotels and restaurants see pp172–3 and pp181–3
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