Scottish Blog

Holyrood Abbey is a ruined abbey, located in Edinburgh.

Holyrood Abbey is an important aspect of Scottish history and mentions of it can be found in a number of events that shaped Scotland.

Holyrood Abbey was founded in 1128, although originally the original thought to build it occurred to King David I, on Holy Cross day in 1127. According to local legend, and legend of Clan Crawford, King David I was hunting in an area of woods nearby the current Holyrood Abbey location. He was attacked by a great deer, legend claims that the deer was so mighty that King David I could have been killed by him, or at least heavily injured. Two local brothers, from the Crawford clan, Johannes and Gregan, came to the rescue of King David I. As a reward for their brave act, King David I crowned the two the following day, he also commissioned the building of Holyrood Abbey on that location the following year. The name of the site is also a direct reference to the event that lead to it being established. Holyrood translates into modern English as Holy Cross, in reference to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Holyrood Abbey has been used for many important occasions throughout Scottish history. There have been numerous marriage ceremonies and coronations at Holyrood Abbey. The site has also been the target of a number of militant attacks. One of the most damaging amongst these was when the site was plundered in 1544, by the forces of Edward Seymor, during the “Rough Wooing” period of Scottish history.