Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots is one of history's true enigmas. Historians know plenty about what she did and where she went during her short life, but the debate on who she was goes on; a selfless martyr, spurred on by passion for her country and devotion to God, or an icy and manipulative adulteress, capable of murder to achieve her political ambitions?

Linlithgow Palace by Linlithgow Loch

Visit places associated with Mary Queen of Scots

Discover Mary Queen of Scots' connections to a number of incredible historic places.

 

Falkland Palace

Visit one of Scotland’s finest Renaissance palaces, a place adored by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

Dumbarton Castle

Dumbarton Castle is located in the ancient capital of Scotland and is spectacularly sited on a volcanic rock overlooking the River Clyde.

Lochleven Castle

Lochleven Castle is a late 14th or early 15th century tower where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's most historically important sites and was once a favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens.

Palace of Holyrood House

Visitors can explore 14 magnificent historic and State Apartments and the romantic ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey

Lennoxlove House

Home of the Duke of Hamilton, dating from 14th century with Mary Queen of Scots' memorobilia.

Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre

Set in the centre of historic Jedburgh, this 16th century towerhouse tells the story of Scotland's tragic queen.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Explore a fascinating overview of Scotland past and present though a wealth of imagery encompassing painting, photography, sculpture and film.

National Museum of Scotland

Fire your imagination at the National Museum of Scotland, one of the UK’s top 10 visitor attractions.

10 key facts about Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots statue at Linlithgow Palace

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

“

En ma fin gît mon commencement... (In my end is my beginning...)

Mary Queen of Scots

  1. Born 8 December 1542 in Linlithgow Palace.
  2. Crowned Queen of Scots in the Chapel Royal, Stirling Castle, aged just nine months.
  3. Smuggled to France aged five, where she lived until she was 18.
  4. Mary could speak five languages and grew to be 5 ft 11 in, unusually tall for the time.
  5. Gave birth to her only child in Edinburgh Castle. He would rise to become James VI of Scotland and I of England.
  6. Some believe she arranged to have her second husband, Lord Darnley, assassinated.
  7. Married for a third time to Lord Bothwell - some believe he abducted her against her will.
  8. Imprisoned for almost a year in Lochleven Castle in Kinross before managing to escape.
  9. Last hours in Scotland were spent in Dundrennan Abbey in Dumfries & Galloway before journeying to England to seek protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. 
  10. Confined in England for 18 years before Elizabeth sanctioned her death warrant and she was beheaded. She died 8 February 1587 in Fotheringhay Castle.

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