International Art Treasures Web Magazine

June 2005  

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Royal Edinburgh

Title: Royal Yacht Britannia
Photographer: Richard Campbell
Image Courtesy: Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful places in the world and has a long and eclectic history with royalty, poets and artists.

Linlithgow Palace

One of the non-royal residents was Oliver Cromwell who lived in Linlithgow briefly during 1650, leaving early the following year. Bonnie Prince Charlie was the last of the Stuarts to actually live at the palace. Unfortunately much was destroyed in a fire in the mid 18th Century. Yet the castle is an important part of Scottish history and home to many of the characters that imbue the rich uniqueness that is Scotland.

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Title: Dunbar Harbour
Photographer: Richard Campbell
Image Courtesy: Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

Tantallon Castle

Edinburgh Castle

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Title: Edinburgh Castle View
Photographer: Richard Campbell
Image Courtesy: Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

Edinburgh castle was built on an extinct volcano in the 6th Century. Like many royal properties it underwent significant changes from its inception. Five hundred years would pass from its creation before Edinburgh Castle became a popular royal residence. During Scotland's numerous battles with her southern neighbor the castle oft changed hands. The Scots, having retaken the castle from the English, decided in 1313 to destroy the defenses to avoid the English using them should they recapture the complex. Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to her only child, James, at Edinburgh Castle in 1566.

Palace of Holyrood House

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Title: Palace of Holyroodhouse
Photographer: Harvey Wood, Douglas Corrance & Marius Alexander
Image Courtesy: Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

The Abbey at the Palace of Holyrood House was the setting for Mary Queen of Scots second marriage to Lord Darnley and her third marriage to James Hepburn. It was the location of the murder of her secretary, David Rizzo. Committed, allegedly, by a jealous and suspicious Lord Darnley, who himself would be murdered freeing Mary to marry Hepburn. The third husband was suspected of complicity in the murder of husband two, Lord Darnley. History buffs will recall that Mary's first marriage was to the Dauphin of France, who died of an infection shortly after ascending the throne as King Francis II.

The Palace is the premier royal residence in Scotland, a practice resumed by Queen Victoria. Thanks to Queen Mary and King George V much restoration and modernization was done to the Palace. The Portrait Gallery contains 89 of Jacob de Wet's paintings of Scottish monarchs, from Fergus I to Charles II.

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Title: Floral Clock, Princes Street Gardens
Photographer: Richard Campbell
Image Courtesy: Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

Edinburgh and Scotland's intriguing history makes a visit to the places where the famous and infamous lived as intriguing as the city they called home.