The historic abbey strand buildings, which between the 17th and 19th centuries were a weapons store and housed debtors and impoverished families, are now under protective cover as work starts on a new learning centre.
For centuries these buildings have been closely associated with the history of the palace of Holyroodhouse, and some of Edinburgh’s most colourful characters have passed through their doors – from medieval monks and royal courtiers, to debtors hiding from the law.
The first part of the works, to remove the harling and dry out the exterior, is being carried out behind a nine-metre-high scaffold wrap that tells the story of the close relationship between the palace, abbey strand and the city of Edinburgh.