HolyroodFlat.com

Holyrood Road

Holyrood Park starts 150 metres

The Parliament, 250 metres

Holyrood Palace, 400 metres

Dynamic Earth Dome, 300 metres

The Queen's Church, 250 metres

Dunbar Close, 250 metres

Capital Location

The culture, scenery and convenience of the area are superb

'We boast being of the Court end of the town, possessing the Palace and the sepulchral remains of ancient Monarchs'
Sir Walter Scott

You are in Holyrood, EH8 8AJ Living close to the Queen at EH8 8BX At the political centre of Scotland's Capital CityBeside Europe’s greatest city-centre mountain scenery Alongside the Royal Mile at the centre of Scottish historyNext to Edinburgh’s most acclaimed modern architectureNear the Supreme Governor of the Church of England's church Surrounded by the best entertainment and exercise in ScotlandOn the George Square Campus Area of Edinburgh University In a dedicated international postgraduate flatWith all of Edinburgh’s attractions within fifteen minutes

The National Parliament, Royal Palace, and Royal Mountain Park within 5 minutes... unique for any location

'The ancient quarter of Edinburgh, which bears... the same relation to the Good Town that Westminster does to London'
Sir Walter Scott

The National Parliament of Scotland starts 250 away. This is ground-breaking modern architecture which echoes the curve of the surrounding hills and structures of nature. Built in 2005 it won the UKs largest architectural award. Bringing prestige and presence to the area, it is also one of them most open-access parliaments in the world and the site of a successful democratic independence movement pursuing the world’s most environmentally progressive agenda. It is one of several modern landmark buildings within 250 metres, including 'the Tun' and 'Our Dynamic Earth'.

Holyrood Palace is 400 metres away, an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, our Head of State. Of her three palaces, this is the one in the most spectacular setting. It is a 17C Baroque Palace, central to the history of Scotland and open to the public except in Royal Week when the Queen is performing her public engagements in the local area with much pageantry. The Royal Family, such as Prince William and Kate, Harry, Charles and Anne stay at times of the year. The 2011 Royal wedding of the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips was received here while the ceremony took place on the Royal Mile at Canongate Kirk, 200 metres from the flat. This church open to the public,including when the Queen attends.

Holyrood Park starts 150 metres away. This is the Royal mountain park containing Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags. The crags tower over Holyrood Road bringing magnificent scenery to the area and it is open access for excellent walking, running and cycling, as well as fishing and some rock climbing by free permit. In just 5 minutes you find yourself surrounded by beautiful wild Scottish scenery with views over the whole city, a situation unique for a city centre. This is the ‘Queen’s Park’ and it has been wild since its enclosure in the 16C. It is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its nature, wildlife and geology and a Scheduled Ancient Monument for its wealth of archaeology. It contains Duddingston Loch, a large natural freshwater lake and Bird Sanctuary.

An amazing range of city amenities are very nearby

Everything mentioned so far is within 400 metres or 5 minutes.

You will also find within 5 minutes walk: 50 bars, cafes and restaurants and barsA large University sports and gym complex at the Pleasance* The University Societies' Centre A world-class network of jogging routes A spa, pool gym and sauna Two libraries for study Two theatres, one of which is known for comedy worldwide Several significant live music venues The centre for all Edinburgh nightlife Several festivals throughout the year High School Yards Campus of Edinburgh University

* free if you pay the rent in a single payment

In addition to the above, you will find within just 100 metres: Tescos Two schools of Edinburgh University Indoor and outdoor cafes and pizza restaurant 25m swimming pool* University sports centre with badminton, martial arts, gymnastics, water polo, fencing, Kendo and Judo clubs The best and best-value music and dance venue in Edinburgh Edinburgh Ceilidh Club with weekly 'called-step' dances Three free music nights a week with £1.50 drinks Dancefloor Zumba classes Artspace and internet cafe The cycle 'Innertube'

* free if you pay the rent in a single payment

So you can study, shop, exercise, dance, swim, eat, drink and party cheaply within one minute.

 
The city scenery within 5 mins is among the best in the world
 
A geoscience exhibit 300 metres down the road built in 2002 around the medieval Abbey walls is topped by a spectacular white dome in front of an amphitheatre. The panorama of the surrounding landscape and architecture from this vantage, medieval to modern epitomises Scotland and Edinburgh.
 
A short distance over from here, half a mile of public landscaped benches forms the ‘stem’ of the Parliament, while the buildings forms the leaves. The natural scenery and architecture, old to new, from this vantage is harmonious and stunning.
 
An unsurpassable two-mile circular walk on Arthur's Seat starts from this spot with peaceful but dramatic natural scenery, inviting gradients and a path under a mile of crags with fantastic city views. This is just one of many such walks in Holyrood Park.
 
The most historic and beautiful section of the Canongate half of 'The Royal Mile' is very close. This is part of Edinburgh's designated 'Old Town' and UNESCO's designated World Heritage Site. Here you will find within 250 metres of the flat:
 
- Several closes and gables
- A 17C garden oasis
- The Queen’s Church with regular services and concerts
- Its historic burial grounds with beautiful views
- The Museum of Edinburgh in a 16C historic buildling
- A tavern with a 16C Tollbooth
- Starbucks and other cafes
- Scottish Poetry Libary, voted 9th best Scottish modern building
- House and grave of Adam Smith, father of economics

The history within five minutes is among the most interesting in the World
 
'The ashes here of murder'd kings Beneath my footsteps sleep; And yonder lies the scene of death, Where Mary learn'd to weep'
Sir Walter Scott
 
The history of 'The Canongate' in which the flat lies is extraordinary although an area of just 1/10 sq mile. It is not only the history of Edinburgh, but the history of Scotland, Great Britain and, especially if you include the adjacent Holyrood Park, the entire planet. It has left behind ruins landmarks, hill-forts, geological sites and present day institutions. Its name refers to where the Canons (the monks) walked from the Abbey to the Castle.
 
The history of Edinburgh is the history of its walls, and here is where the activity happened The royal burgh of Canongate belonged to the Abbey and lay between the walls of the Abbey and the walls of burgh of Edin as they crept outwards in a boundary war. Edinburgh was 'Auld Reekie', while the flat lay in pleasant open land with mansions around.
 
The early and medieval history of Scotland is the story of the Scottish Kings, who lived and ruled from the Palace at the end of the road. The early modern history of Scotland is the story of the Scottish Enlightenment and David Hume, Adam Smith and James Hutton all lived in The Canongate, one was born and two died here. The modern history of Scotland is the story of its devolution and the Parliament, Holyrood is again where this is happening.
 
The history of Great Britain is the story of the relationship between England and Scotland. The Abbey, Palace and Parliament here is the base of independence movements from Robert the Bruce to Bonnie Prince Charlie to Alex Salmond, the place of signing of all the treaties, and a place of English invasions. The first King of Great Britain was the son of Mary Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland who also became King James I of England. He created Holyrood Palace here in 1600. The most famous and influential 'History of England' was written here by David Hume.
 
The early history of religion in Britain is the story of divine marvels and visions and everything started on this spot because a 1100 King had a lucky escape from death and vision which prompted him to found the Abbey of the Holy Cross (Holyrood Abbey). The medieval history of religion in Britain is story of the power of the Abbeys, and this Abbey turned into both parliament and palace. The modern history of religion in Britain is the aftermath of the reformation and here was the base of the Scottish reformation as well as home of the James of the King James Bible..
 
Holyrood Park, in which the flat used to sit, has a pre-historic settlement history going back some 10,000 years, and a hill fort on top of Arthur's Seat 2,000 going back years. It was the site of battles in the dark ages war for Britain and some believe it is where King Arthur first dstinguished himself. It isn't common to have this depth of city-centre history at your front door.
 
Holyrood Park has a remarkable glacial, volcanic, forest and ocean-floor history going back millions of years leaving geological and paleontological evidence such as an extinct volcano. It was from James Hutton's home, 150 metres away from the flat, studying and contemplating Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat in his view, that he discovered the history of the Planet and wrote 'The Theory of the Earth'. I am not joking.

Edinburgh is one of the finest cities in the World, and you are in the middle of everything that makes Edinburgh Edinburgh

"Sic itur ad astra, (This is the path to heaven)" Such is the ancient motto attached to the armorial bearings of the Canongate'
Sir Walter Scott

Edinburgh is the UK's 2nd most visited tourist destination and 18 of its top 20 tourist attractions are within 15 mins walk of the flat, while you can catch a bus from the front door to the other two.

Edinburgh is the world's Festival City and you can't pick a better spot in Edinburgh for access to festivals while avoiding the crowds. Its most iconic festival is the Comedy Festival, just around the corner and down the street.

Edinburgh is the original UNESCO City of Literature and its six literary resources with year-round access and events are within 10 minutes. Its top academic bookstore is 6 mins away and Harry Potter was written in a cafe here. Sir Walter Scott wrote The Chronicles of Canongate and Waverley novels mostly set in the local area. Robert Burns, erected a monument to Robert Fergusson 200 metres from the flat.

Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North for several reasons, and in the 18C was at the centre of world philisophical and scientific thought. The Scottish Enlightenment, if anywhere, happened within 10 minutes of the flat.

Edinburgh is known for its volcanic geology and a cityscape only rivalled by Rome and Athens in Europe. Arthur's Seat is one of the most studied geological sites in the world and is right above you.

Edinburgh has a world top 20 university, and you are right beside its top-rated Faculty, the Faculty of Humanities.

Edinburgh's greatest sportsman, Sir Chris Hoy, also Scotland's most successful ever Olympian, studied at Moray House College 50 metres down the street while we were running the property. He trained here and at the velodrome open a mile from the flat.

Edinburgh is known for its place in climate science, having contributed the most to carbon storage technology. Joseph Black who discovered carbon dioxide lived near the flat and the world's most stringent national carbon dioxide targets were drawn up and debated in the Parliament a down the road The Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change is to be built at High School Yards Campus, 350 metres away.

Edinburgh is known for its cold dark winters and frequent rain so proximity does matter.

With your finger on the pulse of Scotland

Your proximity to the Parliament and residence of the Queen, our Head of State is only part of the prestige of the area.

The Scottish Government, office of the First Minister Alex Salmond, is a 600 metres walk from the flat on Calton Hill in the neo-classical 'New Town' with its remarkable skyline of Victorian monuments.

The City of Edinburgh Council governing the capital city is 400 metres from the flat, alongside the central station.

The Scottish Supreme Court and High Court Chambers is 900 metres away near the Royal Mile.

St Giles Cathedral, the 'Mother of Presbytarianism' is 800 metres away on the Royal Mile.

The offices of the European Parliament, the British Council and the Scotsman, the national newspaper are within 110 metres.