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Holyrood Park

Queen's Drive, Edinburgh
Historic Environment Scotland logo
Open all year. Park roads are closed at weekends.

Before travelling to or through Holyrood Park by car, please check that your route is open to vehicles. Regular and longer term closures are detailed on this page. Unexpected or temporary closures will display in a banner on this page.

Holyrood Park’s roads date back to Victorian times, when they were introduced to make the park more accessible for leisure and travel. Today, they remain important routes across the city and provide access to car parks that help visitors with mobility needs enjoy this remarkable green space. Driving through the park is permitted at designated times, and a 20mph speed limit applies throughout. Road management is carefully balanced to maintain access while protecting safety and the environment.

Aerial view of a small roundabout in Holyrood Park, showing several cars and a red open‑top tour bus travelling around it. The roundabout is surrounded by curved roads, green grass, and tree‑lined paths.

Saturday & Sunday road closures

On Saturday and Sunday all roads are closed to vehicles during the day (all road users if an event is taking place).

Please note, these times are adjusted throughout the year to accommodate daylight hours, with the roads closed for longer in the summer months. It takes around 45 minutes to operate all barriers in the park, which is why a window of opening/closing is provided.

  • Closures commence from 8.15am to 9am

  • Road re-openings will be completed by 10pm

  • Access to Broad Pavement, Meadowbank and Duddingston car parks is maintained (unless otherwise signed as closed for events or maintenance)

The High Road

The High Road and Dunsapie Loch Car Park are open to vehicles from Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am to 3pm.

A one-way system is in place for cyclists.

The image is a simplified map of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, showing roads, car parks, lochs, and key landmarks. Broad Pavement Car Park is located near the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the northwest edge. Meadowbank Car Park sits at the northeast corner. Dunsapie Loch Car Park is on the eastern side, close to Dunsapie Loch. Duddingston Car Park is at the southeast, adjacent to Duddingston Loch.

Duddingston Low Road

The Duddingston Low Road is currently closed to vehicles due to risk of rock fall. Pedestrians are welcome to use the route, which is now protected by safety fencing. Cyclists are asked to dismount while passing through. Please plan your journey accordingly.

Car parking

Parking is available at Broad Pavement, St Margaret’s Loch, and Duddingston Loch car parks.

Overnight parking is not permitted anywhere in the park.

Dunsapie Loch Car Park

Open to vehicles Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am–3pm only.

Broad Pavement Car Park (near Holyrood Palace)

A parking charge of £1 per hour applies at Broad Pavement Car Park from 8.30am to 5.30pm daily, except on:

  • Saturday

  • Sunday

  • Good Friday

  • Easter Monday

  • 25 and 26 December

  • 1 January

Historic Scotland Members are not exempt from charges.

Traffic regulations

Our Ranger Service work with Edinburgh Police to enforce traffic regulations in the park. Speeding cars and dangerous driving should be reported to the police directly using 101.

Other closures

Check for road and car park closures due to external events taking place in the park.

Park roads may open or close for longer or at other times. This may happen because of: maintenance work, a large public event, an accident, rock fall, ice and snow etc.