King Charles traditionally enjoys a royal summer break in Scotland, swapping the hustle and bustle of city life at his primary residence, Clarence House, for the rolling countryside of Balmoral Castle.
While Balmoral is his private royal residence in Aberdeenshire, the monarch’s official residence in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Charles often spends a week of the early summer break at the property for Royal Week, but the Royal Collection Trust pointed out that in the past, he has been joined by several “non-human” guests.
Next to a carousel of images of the local wildlife on Instagram, the RCT wrote: “We share the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh with many creatures, swipe to see some of our non-human visitors.
“Here we’ve captured a nesting kestrel; a tawny owl; a bold fox cub (who once stole a gardener’s jumper!) and a brightly coloured male pheasant. Stags have also visited the Palace (rather apt given the legend about a vision of a stag prompting the building of Holyrood Abbey), and a plethora of birds including a blue tit that thought a security camera was a nest box!”
The legend behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse
According to 12th-century legend, King David I of Scotland was hunting at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, now Holyrood Park, on the Feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September when a white stag threw him from his horse.
As the King prayed on the ground, a glowing cross appeared between the stag’s antlers, causing it to turn and flee. In gratitude for his narrow escape, King David built Holyrood Abbey (known as the Abbey of the Holy Cross) in 1128.
The emblem of a stag’s head with a cross remains a prominent motif in Edinburgh, featuring at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Canongate Kirk, where Zara and Mike Tindall got married in 2011.
Inside the royal family’s Scottish residence
© GettyKing David I originally founded Holyrood Abbey as an Augustinian monastery in 1128. It wasn’t until around 1501 that King James IV converted the guesthouse into a royal palace, making it a home to monarchs for over 500 years.
The palace underwent several renovations, but Charles II was responsible for building the upper floor where the royals’ private apartments are situated.
Explaining the palace’s significance to the royals, Danielle Stacey, our Online Royal Correspondent, said: “The Palace of Holyroodhouse is nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful Holyrood Park, which is also home to the ancient Arthur’s Seat.
“While the palace is more of an official residence and is conveniently located a stone’s throw from the Scottish Parliament, it is steeped in history and has been home to many significant royals, including Mary, Queen of Scots.
“Within the modern monarchy, it plays host to the annual garden party and is at the centre of the royal family’s Holyrood Week celebrations.”
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