Palace

At the end of the Royal Mile, lies the imposing edifice of The Palace of Holyroodhouse.  The official Scottish residence of the Queen, this baroque, stately pile sits, backed by Arthur's Seat.

Mary, Queen of Scots was married at the Palace to Henry, Lord Darnley on 29 July 1565.  This was also the site of the brutal murder of her secretary, David Rizzio.  Lord Darnley was instrumental in the murder as he was so jealous of Mary's friendship with Rizzio.

The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising.  The State Apartments are still used to this day for official entertaining and state ceremonial occasions.

The ruins of Holyrood Abbey are to be seen adjacent to the palace.  The Abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I.  The completed building consisted of a six-bay aisled choir, three-bay transepts with a central tower above, and an eight-bay aisled nave with twin towers at its west front.  It was the site of many of Scotland's Parliament sittings between 1256 and 1410.  It was the site of the coronations of King James II (who was also born here) in 1437 and King Charles I in 1633.
This is a view of the Palace from the nearby Carlton Hill.  Stately indeed!