Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

HOLYROOD PALACE.
[At the foot of the Canongate.]
Open to strangers at 11 a.m. every day except Sunday. Admission on Saturdays
free—on other days by tickets got within the quadrangle, price Sixpence. At the
end of May, when occupied by the Queen’s Commissioner to the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland, there is no admittance.
This ancient residence of Scottish Royalty is a building of a
quadrangular form, with a central court ninety-four feet square.
Its front is flanked with double castellated towers, imparting
to the building that military character which the events of
Scottish history have so often proved to have been requisite in
royal residences.
The changes which from time to time the edifice has under¬
gone render it a matter of difficulty to affix a precise date to
any part of it. The towers of the north-west corner, built by
James V., are understood to be the most ancient portion of the
present building. In 1822, previous to the visit of George IV.,
some improvements were made in its internal accommodation,
and since that time its walls have undergone a thorough repair
at the expense of the Crown. The Duke of Hamilton is heredi-