Edinburgh - Holyrood House Interior

Charles II's royal chamber with its elegant furnishings is now used by the Queen when she stays in Edinburgh. The north wing which escaped the worst of the 1544 fire houses 89 portraits of Scottish monarchs - from Fergus, the founder of the dynasty, to James VII. These were the work of the Dutchman Jakob de Witt who at the request of Charles II completed them all between 1684 and 1686. The chambers of Mary Stuart form part of the northwest tower, which dates from the time of James IV. On March 9, 1566 in the queen's anteroom on the second floor, David Rizzio was murdered. He fell victim to some 50 stab wounds at the upper end of the main staircase. A brass plaque marks the probable spot where he met his death. In the queen's boudoir and bedroom, the original oak coffered ceilings may still be seen. They bear the initials of her parents: IR and ER. J. Michael Wright's 17th century painting of a clan chief - probably Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, Earl of Breadalbane - adorns the Dining Room. This painting is of particular interest as it is one of the first illustrations of the highlanders' costume with girded plaid and Restoration doublet. The Evening Drawing Room was restored at the request of Queen Victoria and was decorated with 18th century Gobelin tapestries from Buckingham Palace. Sir William Hutchison painted the portrait of the Queen Mother.

An important collection of 16th and 17th century commissioned tapestries as well as "Turkey-work" upholstered chairs of the 1680s can be found in the interior.