Palace plans found by dog 'were not from royal house'

Published on Saturday 3 January 2009 10:07

DETAILED plans of the Queen's official residence in Scotland discovered near a footpath did not originate from the royal household.

The drawings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse show details of the royal mews in front of the palace.

Royal security chiefs yesterday launched an investigation into the discovery in Edinburgh.

But it has now emerged that the plans appear to be part of correspondence between a firm of architects and a lawyer about a licensing application for the palace's cafe.

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

The areas in the plans, which include the cafe, are open to the public and are not secure parts of the building.

The architect's drawings and accompanying letter were found under a bush on a path leading to the Water of Leith, in Roseburn, by Joan Burnie walking her dog.

The newspaper agony aunt said: "Polly saw them underneath a bush on the path and came out with the plans in her mouth.

"I took them from her and I was shocked to see the plans were for Holyroodhouse."