Holyrood

A district at the east end of the Royal Mile in the city of Edinburgh, Holyrood owes its origins to an abbey founded by King David I in 1128 after he had been attacked by a stag during a hunting expedition. King James II was born in the abbey lodgings and he, as well as King James III, King James IV and Queen Mary, were married in the abbey. King James V and King Charles I were crowned there and King David II, King James II, King James V and Lord Darnley were buried there. Damaged during the reformation, the abbey was abandoned in 1768 following its collapse. Adjacent to the ruined abbey is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. Holyrood Park, extending to 260 ha (650 acres), extends eastwards and incorporates the Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags as well as Dunsapie Loch and St Margaret's Loch, two artificial lochs created in the 19th century. Originally a royal hunting estate, the park was enclosed by King James V c.540. The Scottish Parliament situated opposite the Palace of Holyrood house opened in 2004.


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