Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

Palace of Holyroodhouse is the monarch’s official Scottish residence, and this royal complex has served as Scotland’s principal royal home since the 16th century. It also provides a setting for state ceremonies and formal entertaining. The ruined abbey beside the palace began as a royal foundation in 1128, and the two buildings remain closely joined.

The palace’s oldest surviving section is James V’s Tower, built as a strongly defended royal lodging. Its apartments are closely tied to Mary, Queen of Scots: she lived here from her return to Scotland in 1561 until her forced abdication in 1567. On 9 March 1566, her secretary David Rizzio was murdered inside the queen’s apartments after armed men entered during supper.

That violent episode gives these rooms an unusually direct connection with Scottish royal history. You can also visit the State Apartments, used for official entertaining, and the King’s Gallery, created from buildings at the western entrance and opened in 2002. When the monarch is in residence, parts of the palace close to visitors.