Do you feel festive Ma’am? The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, was decorated with Christmas decorations.

  • Christmas decorations have been added to the Queen’s Scottish official residence
  • The 15-foot Christmas tree is the highlight of Holyroodhouse’s display in Edinburgh
  • Great Stair leading to the state apartments is draped with twinkling garlands










This festive renovation included a sparkling velvet garland and a 15-foot tree at Queen Victoria’s Scottish official residence.  

A highlight of the Christmas display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is a 15ft tree adorned with glitzy decorations and sparkling lights in the Great Gallery, which is the largest room in the Palace. It stands tall beside a newly installed painting of Charles II.

The Great Stair to the State Apartments has been enhanced with twinkling velvet garlands that feature glistening berries. Visitors can also see another magnificent tree in The Throne Room. 

The Royal Dining Room’s table features silverware that was presented to George V in 1935. 

In the Royal Dining Room, the table is laid with pieces from a silver service presented to King George V and Queen Mary in 1935 to mark their Silver Jubilee (pictured)

The Royal Dining Room features a table that is adorned with silverware given to King George V (pictured) and Queen Mary (1935 to commemorate their Silver Jubilee).

A Royal Collection Trust staff member puts up the Christmas decorations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Royal Collection Trust staff members put up Christmas decorations at Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The palace was originally built as a monastery during the 12th century. It is now open year round to all visitors, with the exception of the week that the Queen is visiting, which is usually from the middle of June through the beginning July. Holyrood Week is the name of this week.

This week, the Queen recognizes Scottish culture and history with incenses and a party in the garden. A variety of Scottish regional engagements are also undertaken by the Queen, which vary year to year. 

From 18-30 December visitors will be able to take an evening guided tour of Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

You can enjoy a private tour of the State Apartments during the evenings, as well as the West Drawing Room. This is used by the Royal Family for a sitting area and is not normally open to the public. 

From 18th-30th December, visitors can enjoy a private evening tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse led by a guide. Pictured, Royal Collection Trust staff member puts up the Christmas decorations

A private tour of Holyroodhouse Palace can be arranged for visitors from 18-30 December. Pictured, Royal Collection Trust staff member puts up the Christmas decorations 

The Great Stair leading to the state apartments has been given a festive makeover after being draped with twinkling velvet garlands, glistening berries and seasonal foliage (pictured)

Following a transformation with festive velvet garlands, seasonal leaves and glittering berries (pictured), the Great Stair leading up to the State Apartments has received a Christmas makeover.

To get visitors into that Christmas spirit, tours also include a complimentary glass of champagne, a mince pie and a copy of the Palace’s souvenir guidebook. 

Plus, for families looking to visit on 18 December, the Mary, Queen of Scots at Christmas Family Activity Day will demonstrate how Christmas was celebrated at the Palace over 400 years ago. 

According to the official website, families can step back in time to learn a game called ‘The Feast of the Bean’, create a pomander to make the air smell sweet, enjoy traditional fiddle music and pick up a family activity trail. 

The palace didn’t hold extravagant parties to celebrate this festive season. 

The Reformation in Scotland saw the end of Mass, festivals, and holidays, as well as Yule celebrations. 

The 15ft tree stands beside a newly installed painting of Charles II in the Great Gallery, which is the largest room in the Palace (pictured)

A 15-foot tree sits beside Charles II’s newly installed painting in the Great Gallery. This is the biggest room in Palace.

The table is decorated with flowers, wreaths and spires of faux candied sugared fruits (pictured)

You can see the table decorated with faux sugared fruits, flowers and wreaths (photo).

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