Written by Anne –
It was my great pleasure to design a specialist tour for our visitor, following in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots. We visited as many locations that were important to Mary as we could in a few days. (Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to make it to The Borders in our schedule, maybe next time…).
We began appropriately in Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary. It was a cold, wet day- possibly not dissimilar to the actual date of her birth on 8th Dec 1542. Our visitor really enjoyed the atmosphere and experience at The Palace, imagining life, not just for Mary, Queen of Scots, but also for her mother Mary of Guise and grandmother, Margaret Tudor. We were a couple of weeks early, but from 25th April a 7ft. bronze statue will commemorate the birthplace of Scotland’s last sovereign queen.
On to Stirling, where a lot less is left to the imagination, with the sumptuous reconstructions of the Royal apartments. Hugely impressive and the costumed guides were so knowledgeable and happy to answer questions outwith the standard script. We were already into comparing Great Halls, and Linlithgow with its huge fireplace won hands down. In Stirling, just walking through the different presence chambers, made us really appreciate exactly what life would have been like back in the day. The kitchens were an added treat and a surprise with some of the ingredients used.
A quick diversion to Glasgow for a whistlestop tour and back to Edinburgh to end the day.
Day 2. Off to Lochleven and Falkland Palace, with a quick trip to St. Andrews to see where Mary would have played golf. Falkland was fabulous, with the guides again being brilliant – we even had a sneak peak at the back of James VI high chair, and the copy of the death mask was emotional. The gardens were beautiful in the sunshine and a real tennis game was in full swing. Once again, easy to take yourself back and imagine what it must have been like, strolling in the gardens.
Lochleven Castle was a very different emotional experience. Scene of one of the most traumatic periods in Mary’s life, where she was imprisoned, miscarried twins and was forced to abdicate. Getting to the island by boat, as Mary would have, added to the atmosphere. An amazing day.
Day 3 in Edinburgh experiencing the life of Mary in the Capital. Starting at Edinburgh Castle, the stronghold where she gave birth to her son, James, and another Great Hall impressively decorated. An added bonus was being able to view the Honours of Scotland (The Crown Jewels), with the actual crown that was first used to crown the infant Mary, marked with a bit of disappointment that photos were banned. On down the Royal Mile, with a mini diversion to check out some artefacts in the Museum of Scotland.
Finally, to Holyrood Palace, the main home of Mary during her adulthood in Scotland and where she got married twice, to Lord Darnley and to Bothwell. Up yet another spiral staircase (how did they manage in those big dresses) to Mary Queen of Scot’s apartments. To be there in Mary’s Bedchamber, described as ‘the most famous room in Scotland’, and her Outer Chamber, the scene of Rizzio’s murder, was the highlight of the visit.
A quick tour, completely immersed in the turbulent and tragic world of Mary Queen of Scots, was just what our visitor wanted and we were happy to oblige.
We always welcome enquiries for special interest tours and will do all we can to accommodate your interests.
