Ancient site · Scotland · Ruin

Holyrood Abbey

Abaid Taigh an Ròid

Holyrood Abbey is a medieval Augustinian abbey founded in 1128 beside what became the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Largely roofless since its 1768 collapse, the surviving aisled nave, buttressed walls and tracery lie at the eastern end of the Royal Mile and were long associated with royal ceremonies, burials and the adjacent palace precinct.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1128

Its prime

1500

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1500

What Holyrood Abbey looked like in its prime.

A long, roofed medieval abbey in warm-brown sandstone with high, buttressed side walls pierced by pointed arched windows and blind arcading; paired towers marked the west front and a central tower rose above the crossing. The nave is lined by clustered stone piers and tall arcades; exterior pinnacles and carved stonework show weathering and green lichen. The building sits on a mown grass forecourt beside the palace, with tomb slabs and memorials close to the walls.

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9 places to explore in 1500.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Holyrood Abbey, including 6 interiors: nave looking east toward the choir, crossing beneath the central tower, south aisle east bay (royal vault) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Approach from palace forecourtWest front with twin towersNave looking east toward the choirCrossing beneath the central towerSouth aisle east bay (Royal Vault)Choir and high altarCloister walk and central garthGreat Hall (converted abbey refectory)Distant view from Holyrood Park

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