On yet another sunny day, after our luxurious and leisure breakfast, fortified by several cups of the excellent strong Scottish coffee, we set out for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, usually refered to simply as Holyrood Palace. While visitable (in part) since 1909, it is still the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. However, the Queen spends only a few days a year here, spending more time at Balmoral in the Highlands.
ready for our visit to the Palace, Abbey and gardens
the main entrance to the inner courtyard
in the courtyard
The Queen's ante-chamber and bedchamber are the climax of the short guided tour which takes the visitor through splendid Carolean rooms. The great staircase has a fine example of a baroque plaster ceiling with ring upon ring of intricately modelled fowers and foliage supported by four angels waving the symbols of the monarchy. It leads into the sumptuous dining room of Queen Victoria- still used today by Queen Elizabeth. From there the visitor enters the throne room where George IV was presented with the Scottish crown. The most interesting part for us were the five rooms which followed - still decorated largely as they would have been at the time of Charles II, rooms which lead to his bedroom.
The Great Gallery, with its bizarre array of "large-nosed" Scottish monarchs, links the two towers. After this rather boring portrait gallery we entered the very interesting and atmospheric rooms of Mary, Queen of Scots, the rooms where her lover was killed by her husband. The gloom of the rooms makes it easy to imagine the young Frenchwoman's darkest days confined to these quarters.
The ruins of the beautiful Abbey are located right next to the Palace surrounded by the Palace gardens. The Abbey, founded by David I in 1128, dates much earlier than the Palace. The setting was magical with the roofless nave soaring toward the blue sky, a splendid testimony to the greatness of the art of the Middle Ages - a period which was all BUT, artistically, the Dark Ages.
the Abbey viewed from the garden paths
beautiful stone carvings on the capitals of the columns
Abbey details
We enjoyed a late lunch of our favorite Cullen Skink bisque, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam and strong coffee at the lovely Cafè on the Palace grounds.
I basked in the sun while Mar walked into Holyrood Park and up toward Arthur's Seat. An extinct volcano, the profile of the Seat is much like a crouching lion So very close to Old Town, the feel is more like the Highlands.
Comments (1)
Wonderful photos, Mary. Holyrood Palace looks fascinating, and the ruins of the abbey look magnificent!
I've read so many different accounts of Mary, Queen of Scots that it's hard to know what she really would have been like (and how dangerous she really was!) But I suppose persistent, repeated plotting against the Queen left Elizabeth I little choice but to do away with Mary.
Lunch looks lovely -- scones and clotted cream must have been perfect in that setting!
Posted by sandrac | August 6, 2009 8:58 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 20:58