There at Holyrood we find the scene of one of Scotland’s most affecting
dramas,--the tragedy of Mary, Queen of Scots. Holyrood Castle, which
was the unfortunate queen’s home for many years, is part ruin and part
in good repair and occupied. It is there that the visitor can see the
bedroom of the fair young Scottish queen, and there also the spot where
her unfortunate minstrel and counselor, Rizzio, was murdered. Holyrood
is intimately associated with the memories of Mary, Queen of Scots, and
all who have followed with interest her sad story and want to feel an
impression of her actual presence should spend a day in and about the
castle.
[Illustration: HOLYROOD CASTLE
_Associated with the most dramatic years in the life of the unfortunate
Mary, Queen of Scots._]
The modern Scottish home of British royalty is Balmoral, situated on
an estate of ten thousand acres about fifty miles from Aberdeen. This
beautiful palace was purchased by the Crown in 1852 from the Earl of
Fife for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It was for years the
favorite country home of Queen Victoria, and is now said to be the most
cherished residence of British royalty.