Security breach at Scottish palace

by mudricky | January 2, 2009 at 05:26 am

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An investigation has been launched after plans of architectural drawings of the Queen's official residence in Scotland were found near a footpath

The drawings found are for the Holyroodhouse, on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and show details of power ducts, cables and a transformer, as well as the sizes of the gardens and locations for boiler rooms, gas meters, store cupboards, kitchens, toilets and wash areas.

The drawings, with an accompanying letter, were found by the Daily Record newspaper's agony aunt, Joan Burnie, as she took her dog for a walk.

She said to the newspaper: "Polly [her dog] saw them underneath a bush on the path and came out with the plans in her mouth. I took them from her to see what they were and that's when I saw the letter.

"I was shocked to see the plans were for Holyroodhouse."

ROYAL security bosses launched a probe last night after detailed plans of Holyrood palace were found near a footpath.

The drawings show details of the royal mews area directly in front of the palace, including the location of entrances, offices, cables and power ducts.

Senior palace staff described the discovery as a "serious breach of security".

The architect's drawings were found under a bush on a path leading to the Water of Leith, in Roseburn, Edinburgh.

The discovery has raised fears that plans of the Edinburgh palace - the Queen's official residence in Scotland - could get into the wrong hands.

Royal security chiefs have launched an investigation after plans of the Queen's official residence in Scotland were found near a footpath.

Architectural drawings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, show details of the royal mews and cafe in front of the palace.

A spokeswoman for the palace said the discovery was a security breach which was being taken "very seriously".

It is understood all the areas detailed in the plans are open to the public.

The architect's drawings were discovered under a bush on a path leading to the Water of Leith, in Roseburn, Edinburgh.