Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

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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
magnificent parties. (see p51). Designed more prosaic explanation for
Tours of the State by the late Enric the name than any link with
and Historic apart­ Miralles, known for the legendary King Arthur.
ments are given his work on build ings The park has three small
throughout the day James V’s arms, at the 1992 Barcelona lochs. St Margaret’s near the
from April to October Holyroodhouse Olympics, the Palace is the most romantic,
or take an audio tour; Parliament building with its resident swans and
both are included in the price of was opened in October 2004 position under the ruins of
your ticket. The Queen’s Gallery by Queen Elizabeth II. It’s well St Anthony’s Chapel. Dunsapie
displays changing exhibitions worth taking one of the regular Loch is the highest, sitting 112 m
from the Royal Collection. tours of this architecturally (367 ft) above sea level under
exciting public building. Arthur’s Seat. Duddingston
w Our Dynamic Loch, on the south side of the
park, is home to a large number
Earth r Holyrood Park of wildfowl.
Holyrood Rd. Tel (0131) 550 7800. and Arthur’s Seat The Salisbury Crags are
Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5:30pm daily Main access via Holyrood Park Rd, among the park’s most striking
(to 6pm Jul & Aug); Nov–Mar: 10am– Holyrood Rd and Meadowbank features. Their dramatic profile,
5:30pm Wed–Sun. & 8 9 7 - Terrace. along with that of Arthur’s
= ∑ dynamicearth.co.uk Seat, can be seen from many
Holyrood Park, adjacent to the kilometres away. The Crags
Our dynamic earth is a Palace of Holyrood house, covers form a parabola of red cliffs
permanent exhibition about over 2.6 sq km (1 sq mile) that sweep round and up from
the planet. Visitors are taken of varying terrain, topped by the Palace of Holyroodhouse,
on a journey from the earth’s a rugged 250­m (820­ft) hill. above a steep supporting
volcanic beginnings to the first Known as Arthur’s Seat, the hillside. A rough track, called the
appearance of life. Further hill is actually a volcano that has Radical Road, follows their base.
displays concentrate on the
world’s climatic zones and
dramatic natural phenom ena
such as tidal waves and
earthquakes. State­of­the­art
lighting and interactive tech­
niques produce the special
effects for 90 minutes of
learning and entertainment.
The exhibition building is
fronted by a 1,000­seat stone
amphitheatre designed by
Sir Michael Hopkins, and it
incorporates a translucent tented
roof. Situated beneath Salisbury
Crags, the modern lines of Our
Dynamic Earth contrast sharply
with the natural landscape. Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags, looming above the city

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