These fine rooms were the home of Scotland’s royalty for centuries, where Queen Marie de Guise died in 1560 and her daughter Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in 1566.

General view of Edinburgh Castle looking up towards the drum tower and the royal palace © Historic Scotland

Key facts

The Royal Palace in Crown Square © Historic Scotland
This building is where Scotland’s kings and queens lived when they were in Edinburgh.
Detail of date on the exterior of the royal palace at Edinburgh Castle © Historic Scotland
It was not very comfortable. The royal family preferred Holyrood Abbey, at the other end of the Royal Mile, but the castle was more secure.

-·It was here that Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her only child, James, in June 1566.

-·Prince James was born in a cramped closet next to Mary’s bedchamber. It was a difficult birth. Afterwards, the baby was wrapped in fine robes and presented to his mother and father, Lord Darnley.

-·James became King James VI of Scotland soon after his first birthday in 1567; and King James I of England in 1603.

-·In 1617 King James VI & I made an emotional return to his birthplace in the castle to celebrate his 50th anniversary as king of Scots.  His birthchamber was specially redecorated for the occasion