The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Gallery at the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse showing changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The King's Gallery stands at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the Royal Mile. It was built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and the Duchess of Gordon's School, buildings that were put up in the 1840s with money from the Duchess of Gordon and fell out of use in the late nineteenth century.
Plans for the new gallery began in October 1999. The architects, Benjamin Tindall Architects, designed it to complement the original nineteenth-century buildings. A new stone arched entrance was created opposite the Scottish Parliament building, with a courtyard beyond in the traditional Scottish manner. The large stone lettering above the entrance is cut from single pieces of stone and sits below Scotland's heraldic lion, and the oak doors have gilded bronze hinges decorated with the Scottish lion and unicorn and with golden boughs of native trees.
The gallery was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 29 November 2002 as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations, and it was then known as The Queen's Gallery. After the accession of King Charles III it became The King's Gallery in 2024. It shows a changing programme of exhibitions of works of art from the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, including old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts and photographs. Because it is part of a working royal palace, opening arrangements can change at short notice.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection
- Old master paintings, rare furniture and decorative arts
- Historic photographs from the Royal Collection
- Free multimedia guide included with the ticket
- Entrance arch opposite the Scottish Parliament building
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Royal Collection Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7Young people aged 18 to 24 |
| Children & teens | £5.50free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 17; children under 5 are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £5.50companion free · Concession for disabled visitors; an access companion is admitted free of charge. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –A group discount is offered for bookings of 15 or more people, which must be booked in advance. |
| Combined ticket with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, adult (booked in advance) | £29.70About 10% off both tickets; £33.30 on the day. |
Prices shown are for the current exhibition, which runs until 6 December 2026, and may change for the next one. Tickets can be converted into a 1-Year Pass for unlimited re-admission, with a £2 transaction fee for pre-booked return visits. £1 tickets are available for people on Universal Credit and other named UK benefits. A free multimedia guide is included.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There are 22 steps up to the main exhibition level, and a lift also serves it; the rest of the gallery has level access. Manual wheelchairs and rollators can be borrowed free of charge, and mobility scooters are allowed if they fit the lift (137 cm deep, 106 cm wide, 630 kg limit). There is one bench on the exhibition level and more seating in the Café at the Palace. Accessible toilets are in the gallery and in the cafe. The nearest disabled parking bays are on Horse Wynd, just outside the palace. Registered assistance dogs are welcome, and some wardens are Dementia Friends. Guides for visitors who are d/Deaf, blind or partially sighted or on the autism spectrum and a photo journey help with planning.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Pushchairs can be taken into the gallery except during busy periods, when a drop-off area is provided. Baby carriers and hip seats can be borrowed on request. Toilets and baby-care facilities are in the Café at the Palace, and breastfeeding is welcome throughout the palace and the gallery. Children aged 5 to 17 pay a reduced price and under-5s are free.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The nearest disabled parking bays are on Horse Wynd, just outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Free coach parking is next to the palace and is reached via Abbeyhill.
- Accessible parking
The gallery is at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Canongate, opposite the Scottish Parliament building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
The Café at the Palace and the Palace Shop are next to the gallery entrance. A free cloakroom is available for coats and bags; backpacks may not be worn inside the exhibition. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the gallery, and charging devices is not permitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is allowed in the gallery; commercial filming needs an application. |
| Good to know | A free multimedia guide in English, lasting about one hour, comes with the ticket, and a written plain English version is available. Guiding by groups is not allowed inside the gallery. Bags are checked on arrival. School sessions and workshops are offered. |
