Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has prepared a Strategic Plan for Edinburgh’s iconic Holyrood Park, outlining a vision for a more sustainable and vibrant park. The Plan, developed through extensive consultation, aims to address key challenges and opportunities facing the Park, while preserving its heritage and enhancing its value for visitors and the local community.

Central to the Plan is a clearly defined Purpose, supported by principles that prioritise people and place. The Plan sets out a Vision and Objectives to guide the Park’s development over the next decade, focusing on climate action, biodiversity protection, and visitor wellbeing.

The Strategic Plan is an important milestone towards realising the Park’s full potential. It will inform the development of proposals and tactical plans to achieve the Vision and Objectives, while aligning with the Park’s Purpose. The support and engagement of communities and stakeholders will be essential in driving progress and ensuring a positive future for Holyrood Park.

Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at HES, commented:

“Holyrood Park is a truly special place, offering immense value to the city and its residents. While it already holds great significance, there is still untapped potential to enhance its benefits for people, nature, and heritage. The Strategic Plan serves as a guide for realising this potential, shaping our approach to addressing the growing climate crisis, supporting the visitor economy, and promoting sustainable land management.

“We know the Park is meaningful to both visitors and the local communities, and we were pleased to hear from almost 5000 people, many of whom are local to the Park, during the public consultation. This ensures that the people of and visitors to Edinburgh and Scotland have had their say and are at the heart of the Strategic Plan.”

The Strategic Plan builds upon the recently completed Holyrood Park Landscape Conservation Management Plan, which has been informed by expert analysis of archaeological, ecological, and hydrological factors.

The Strategic Plan does not include the final Movement Strategy for the Park, which is still being developed in collaboration with The City of Edinburgh Council and will align to their City Mobility Plan 2030. Additional, detailed surveys are required to inform the plans for future traffic movement and active travel, ensuring a sustainable future for the Park.

While the Plan does not cover rock risk, specialist geotechnical engineers have completed a re-assessment of risk and potential mitigating measures in relation to parts of the Radical Road and other areas. HES plans to improve access in spring 2025, where this can be done safely, at the southern end from the Hawse to the northern end of South Quarry. This area includes Hutton’s Section and Hutton’s Rock, together with the quarry in which climbing is permitted. Due to Holyrood Park’s complexity and unique nature, all proposals need to consider statutory consents and require engagement with the relevant regulatory bodies.