"The service made our sightseeing day much easier. We enjoyed comfortable seats, excellent city views, and convenient stops that allowed us to explore attractions without unnecessary travel."
The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Overview
View the ever-changing displays from the Royal Collection, which include unique furniture, decorative arts, old master paintings, and photos from the extensive picture collection. Learn what the fashion of the eighteenth century, a time of revolutionary trade, travel, and technological advancements that influenced trends in fashion at all societal levels, may teach us about living in Britain. Explore the world of Georgian fashion and get up close and personal with exquisite artwork by Gainsborough, Zoffany, and Hogarth, as well as opulent textiles, brilliant jewellery, and a variety of accessories like swords and snuff boxes.
About the activity
Free Cancellation
Mobile Voucher
Highlights
- See the King's Gallery's seasonal exhibits.
- View stunning sculptures and paintings.
- Explore the Buckingham Palace Masterpieces exhibition.
- Combine with a trip to the Holyroodhouse Palace
Itinerary
Discover one of Edinburgh’s most fascinating cultural landmarks with this immersive and historically rich tour experience.
Begin your visit at The King’s Gallery, a striking venue housed within the restored shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and the Duchess of Gordon’s School. Officially opened in 2002 by Queen Elizabeth II, the gallery showcases an extraordinary rotating selection of masterpieces from the Royal Collection. Before entering, take a moment to admire the grand Scottish craftsmanship of the entrance—featuring solid oak doors, gleaming gilded bronze hinges, and the iconic heraldic lion of Scotland perched proudly above.
Continue your journey into the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Step inside to explore the opulent State Apartments, where highlights include the Throne Room, the elegant Privy Chamber, the vast Great Gallery, and the richly adorned King’s Bedchamber—the most impressive room in the palace.
Delve deeper into Scotland’s dramatic past as you visit the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots, located in the oldest part of the palace. Walk through the historic Supper Room, the site of the infamous murder of her secretary, David Rizzio, orchestrated by her husband and a group of nobles. Remarkably, traces of this chilling event are still visible today.
Your ticket also grants access to the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey and the beautifully landscaped Palace Gardens, offering a tranquil contrast to the palace’s grand interiors.
Enhance your visit with the special exhibition, *The Edwardians: Age of Elegance* (24 April – 6 December 2026). This captivating showcase brings to life the glamour and sophistication of two of Britain’s most stylish royal couples—King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, alongside King George V and Queen Mary. Featuring over 150 exquisite objects, the exhibition includes fine fashion, paintings, rare books, and personal treasures such as jewellery, photographs, and decorative chinaware—many displayed in Scotland for the very first time. Admire works by renowned names like Fabergé, Tiffany & Co., and Edward Burne-Jones, and gain insight into a golden era defined by elegance, global influence, and artistic excellence.
This curated itinerary offers a perfect blend of royal heritage, architectural beauty, and world-class art—ideal for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
What's Included
What's Included
- Entry to the King's Gallery
Schedule
Opening times:
- 24 Apr to 07 Sep 2026: Daily, 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission 17:00)
- 10 Sep to 31 Oct 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission 17:00)
- 01 Nov to 06 Dec 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 16:30 (last admission 15:30)
- Duration: 1 Hour
- Location: Canongate The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX.
Redemption Info
- Travellers must exchange their booking voucher.
- Your booking voucher will expire after you exchange it for a ticket.
- The company or tour operator will not provide a refund if ticket is misplaced.
Know Before You Go
- Complimentary multimedia guide will be provided.
- There is a cloakroom for large bags and items.
- Pushchairs are allowed inside the Gallery, except during busy periods. Baby carriers and hip seats are available on request.
- The Gallery is fully accessible.
Cancellation Policy
- To get the full refund, you must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the activity/tour start time.
- If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time, you will not get any refund.
- Modifications/ changes are allowed at least 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time.
- You must contact us through email. The activity/tour's local start time determines the cut-off times.
Disclaimer
- There may be unexpected changes in the timetable due to public holidays, weather conditions, or other unanticipated situations. During major events, summer vacations, and weekends, the city will be quite busy.
- We will do everything we can to provide a smooth and consistent service! In such cases, no reimbursement is allowed.
- Tours run regardless of the weather. Weather-related refunds will not be issued unless the service is discontinued due to inclement weather.
- The service provider preserves the right to amend or cancel the itinerary due to city events or force majeure.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily book tours and activities through our website. Simply browse our destinations, select your preferred tour, choose your date and number of participants, and complete the secure online payment process. You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase.
After booking, you'll receive a voucher via email. For hop-on-hop-off tours, exchange your voucher with the bus driver or staff at any designated stop to receive your physical ticket. For other activities, present your voucher (digital or printed) at the meeting point specified in your booking confirmation. Keep your ticket safe throughout the tour validity period.
We accept all major credit/debit cards. You can pay with a VISA debit or credit card, a MasterCard debit or credit card, Maestro, Visa Electron or American Express card.
Please note: We are based in the United Kingdom. Depending on your bank, an international transaction fee may apply. For more details about potential charges, please contact your card provider directly.
Yes. Your payment is absolutely safe with us. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and processed securely. With our secure online payment system, your information is encrypted and protected against fraud. We use industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocols to safeguard data transfer, and all personal information is stored in secure environments not accessible to the public.
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, please check your spam/junk folder.If any activity requires manual confirmation from the supplier/ tour operator, your booking will be confirmed within 24 hours.
Still haven’t received it? Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com and our team will be happy to assist you.
Your reference number will be displayed on the confirmation page after you complete your booking and in the confirmation email you receive once your tour is confirmed. All booking reference numbers begin with “ACTXXXX”.
If you don't receive your confirmation email within 30 minutes of booking, please check your spam/junk folder first. If it's not there, contact our customer support at booking@activity-crest.com with your payment details and booking information. We'll resend your confirmation and voucher immediately.
Yes. You can modify your booking after purchase. Modifications depend on the specific tour's terms and conditions. Some bookings allow date changes up to 24-48 hours before the tour, while others may have stricter policies. Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com as soon as possible if you need to modify your booking. Please note that changes may be subject to availability and additional fees.
Please bring a printed copy of your ticket voucher. Some local suppliers also accept vouchers shown on a mobile device (check the activity page for details). A valid photo ID is required for the traveler named on the ticket. For certain activities, a valid ID for each participant may be required – this will be clearly stated on your ticket.
Our cancellation policy varies by tours. Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. For specific cancellation terms and refund conditions, please check the individual tour page before booking. To cancel your booking, contact us at booking@activity-crest.com with your booking reference number.
Customer Reviews
4.5
based on 2,226 reviews
Rating Distribution
"The entire tour was enjoyable from beginning to end. Beautiful views, helpful commentary, and convenient stops made it easy to experience the city without feeling rushed."
"We loved seeing the city from the upper deck. The route covered many interesting areas, and the freedom to hop off whenever we wanted was extremely useful."
"This tour was a convenient way to explore popular attractions. We enjoyed informative commentary, comfortable transportation, and the flexibility to spend extra time at places we liked."
"The hop on hop off service made exploring the city straightforward. We saw several landmarks, enjoyed great views, and appreciated being able to continue our journey whenever convenient."
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