Abbeyhill

About the Area

Abbeyhill is to the East of the city and overlaps the Eastern fringe of Edinburgh Old Town. It takes its name from the ruined Holyrood Abbey, which is adjacent to the Palace of Holyrood House.

King David I founded Holyrood Abbey on the site in 12th century after narrowly avoiding a goring by a large stag. The charging animal, legend has it, was startled by the miraculous appearance of a holy cross descending from the skies.

The suburb is largely residential streets, with tenement flats which date from the late 19th century and colony houses on the north side of London Road.