The City of Edinburgh grew out from the Castle rock, and the first houses in Edinburgh were built on the area in front of Edinburgh Castle , which is now known as the Lawnmarket, and then continued down the High Street and The Cannongate towards the Royal Palace of Holyrood House. These streets collectively form a single street known as The Royal Mile. The Royal Mile acquired its name over the ages as Scottish and English kings, queens and royalty in general, have travelled to and fro between the Palace of Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle - hence the name The Royal Mile.
We have now reached the ornamental gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Originally this was a guest house for the adjacent Abbey of Holyrood, but the Palace was begun for King James IV in the early sixteenth century. However, most of the Palace seen today was built for Charles II and dates from 1671. The Palace is now the residence of Her Majesty the Queen when she and other members of the Royal Family make their regular visits to Edinburgh. The Palace is normally open to the public, who are admitted to the State apartments and the historical apartments. Mary, Queen of Scots, spent the six tragic years of her reign here.
Near the Queen's supper room, visitors are shown a brass tablet in the floor marking the place where the lifeless body of David Rissio, Queen Mary's secretary, was left after he had been stabbed repeatedly by a number of nobles. The Queen witnessed the brutal event, and she believed the ultimate intent of the attack was to cause her to miscarry her child, the future King James. A plaque - and a bloodstain still visible on the floor - marks the spot where Rizzio died.
Highlights of the palace are the oldest surviving section, King James Tower where Mary Queen of Scots lived on the second floor, with her husband, Lord Darnley's rooms below. Mary's chambers are approached up a small winding staircase.
Queen Mary's Bed Chamber has been described as the most famous room in Scotland. Some of the rich tapestries, paneling, massive fireplaces, and antiques from the 1700s are still in place.
Displayed throughout the palace are the portraits and personal effects of various rulers. One of the more curious exhibits is a piece of needlework done by Mary depicting a cat-and-mouse scene (her cousin, Elizabeth I, is the cat).
Behind Holyroodhouse is Holyrood park, Edinburgh's largest park. With rocky crags, a loch, sweeping meadows, and the ruins of a chapel, it's a bit of the Scottish countryside in the city, and a great place for hiking, biking, or a picnic.
This article is part of the Historic Travel series on The Scotland Traveler.
