Castles, Cathedrals, Palaces and Abbeys

With our visit to Scotland last week, we visited a few interesting places: The Palace of the Holyroodhouse, which is the official palace of the Queen in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle and the Cathedral at St Andrews. I’m sharing a few random photos. What I like about historic buildings, is to look at the structures and designs. It’s just amazing what time went into the design of these historical structures. 

Edinburgh Castle

 

Lots of visitors everywhere at the Edinburgh Castle.

Near the Castle.

Street musician – preparing for the Fringe festival.

A flame entertainer – also preparing for the Fringe Festival.

The Holyrood Abbey alongside the Palace of the Holyroodhouse. This Abbey was built in the twelve century and in ruins since the eighteenth century.

Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, also known as Holyrood Palace is the Queen and Royal Family’s official residence in Scotland.  The building itself being an architectural gem with impressive Baroque decoration.

During the Middle Ages the monarchy left the cold and damp Edinburgh Castle and settled in the comfortable Holyrood Abbey guesthouse. In 1503 James IV constructed the first palace alongside the Abbey. Many years later, James V built a tower where Mary, Queen of Scots lived between 1561 and 1567.

It wasn’t until a century later, from 1671 to 1678, that the Baroque palace was built as it stands today. It was designed for Charles II with the restoration of the monarchy. Presently, it is one of the most beautiful palaces in Scotland.

The Queen uses this palace for her official visits to Scotland. If the Queen is in residence, you cannot visit this palace.

St Andrews Cathedral

It was built in 1158 and became the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland as the seat of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and the Bishops and Archbishops of St Andrews. It fell into disuse and ruin after Catholic mass was outlawed during the 16th-century Scottish Reformation.