Palace of Holyrood House

 This was our last event of the tour, and they had saved the best till last. We had a private tour of  Holyrood Palace, home of King Charles for one week a year in the summer (of course). It was AWESOME.

We started in the gift shop, as it is at the entrance after all. I went to buy my souvenir guide book, to be told we get a complimentary one at the end. I turned my attention to other purchases. You’ll see. Definitely me.

So our your tour guide Logan, doing his first private evening tour, was engaging and humorous but not cracking jokes. No need, because he had to walk us through 17 rooms, several not usually open to the punters. Also we got to walk on the carpets, whereas the punters walk along the edge behind a rope. Some rooms had lovely new carpets. Also no photos inside. There was another guide behind us, ostensibly to answer any other questions but really to make sure we took no photos I suspect, or cut into the fabrics. This is me just before going inside, where no photos were allowed.

These are the lovely fresh hanging baskets that only come out in this quadrangle when the homeowners visit is coming up.

Every room seemed more interesting than the last; modern day, Queen Victoria, the GeorgeIV and his shocking display of a tartan kilt and pink stockings, Mary Queen of  Scots and the very rooms were her private secretary was murdered in front of her by her husbands men. After reading about these events for many years it was amazing to be standing where they took place.

During the tour it had been pelting down with rain, which only started when we went in. As we finished the tour and were walking across the front paved area to the gates, we saw a beautiful rainbow. It was a fitting end to an amazing weather experience, where sunshine was there when appropriate and rain and wind when it was appropriate ie Glencoe. I had also missed the worst weather day that included midges attacks on Skye when I had my gastro.

What a way to end the tour.