Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh (must see)

A “must-see” location on many’s list visiting Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse on the Royal Mile is an important part of Scotland’s history. It is the official residence of the United Kingdom’s monarchs and was once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots.

King David I founded the abbey in 1128 and in 1501 the palace was built next to it. Today, only a small part of the original gatehouse remains. A “palace” was a rather grandiose title for what was a large house, but it was enlarged in 1532 and 1536. The property was renovated in 1633, but during Cromwell’s time it was used as barracks for his soldiers and was badly damaged during a fire.

In the 1670s, it was rebuilt by Sir William Bruce, and the abbey chapel became the Chapel Royal which was then used until 1768 when the roof fell in. The chapel and the house were restored again in 1822 and once more during the reign of King George V and Queen Mary. They also had indoor bathrooms and loos put in.

The house is open to the public when the “Royals” aren't in residence; you can admire the delicate stucco-work on the ceilings in the Royal Apartments and look your fill at the portraits of Scotland’s kings, both real and legendary, painted by Jacob de Wet.

The highlight of the visit is the Royal Collection which consists of armor, books, ceramics, clocks, drawings, jewelry, manuscripts, maps, paintings, prints, sculpture, silverware and weapons collected by kings and queens over a period of 500 years and held in trust for the nation by the Crown.

If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the ghost of Agnes Sampson who has haunted the house since 1592 when she was tortured and put to death for witchcraft.