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The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Future Programme 


In 2016, The Royal Collection Trust embarked on an ambitious ‘Future Programme’ concerning the quality of the visitor experience through the creation of a new welcome sequence, a publicly accessible educational Physic Garden and an Education Centre. The garden spaces draw upon the rich archaeology and heritage of the site.


The project reconnects the Palace with the City; enhances the public realm, transforms the setting of the Palace buildings and forecourt and creates welcoming thresholds while celebrating and reinterpreting the unique landscape history. New gardens are defined in three distinct areas, each representing a fascinating phase in the Palace’s 900-year history. Firstly, a flowering meadow of medicinal plants evokes the 12th century monastic gardens of Holyrood Abbey. Secondly, a field of flowering bulbs planted in patterns to reflect the design of 16th century gardens. Thirdly, a reimagined Physic Garden that was established in the Palace grounds 350 years ago and went on to become Scotland’s first botanic garden.



PROJECT INFO

Client The Royal Collection Trust
Location Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh
Date 2016 - 2020
Area 1.3Ha
Awards
2022 Winner - Excellence in Heritage and Culture - Landscape Institute Awards

CREDITS

Landscape Architect 
J&L Gibbons
Architect Burd Haward Architects
Additional planting advice  Mark Lutyens Associates and Catherine FitzGerald
Structural & Civil Engineering David Narro Associates
M&E Engineering
Max Fordham
Interpretation
Nissen Richards
Artist
Peter Coates
Archaeology
Kirkdale Archaeology
Soil Scientist
Tim O’Hare Associates
Arboriculturalist
Alan Motion
Photography © His Majesty King Charles III, 2024, Keith Hunter