Holyroodhouse Palace and Stirling Castle are both in Scotland. They both have historic importance and have been royal residences for centuries. However, the two present quite different visitor experiences.

To begin with, Holyroodhouse is located in Edinburgh whereas Stirling Castle is in the countryside not all that far from Glasgow. Thus, a visit to Holyroodhouse is an urban experience, something that you can do as part of a day in that rather unique city. Stirling Castle requires a drive through some pretty countryside from where the cruise ships dock in Greenock. Although there are other things to see nearby, the castle is the focus of the journey.

Stirling Castle sits majestically on top of a stone crag. Perched on essentially vertical stone cliffs dominates its surroundings. Holyroodhouse lies in a valley. Overlooking it is the enormous rocky crag Arthur's Seat, part of an extinct volcano.

Architecturally, most of the buildings at Stirling date from the Renaissance. The palace building that we see today at Holyroodhouse reflects the Baroque style of the time of Charles II, although there are sections which are much older.

Both palaces were important in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. She was crowned at Stirling and spent her early life there before she went to France to marry the heir to the French throne. She came to Holyroodhouse as a widow and some of the most important events of the later part of her turbulent reign occurred there including her two subsequent marriages as well as the murder of her private secretary, which was carried out in her presence.

After King James VI became King James I of England as well, royal interest in both palaces declined precipitously. Eventually, Queen Victoria revived Holyroodhouse as a royal residence. Stirling Castle was allowed to become first a prison and then a military base.

This history has an impact on what you see at the two palaces. Holyroodhouse, as the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, contains items of art and furniture from the Queen's collection, many of which have been at Holyroodhouse for centuries. At Stirling, most of its royal contents were dispersed after the royals moved elsewhere. However, as a result of a 12 million pound restoration project, the Royal Palace has been returned to its Renaissance look with high quality replicas of the art and furniture.

As a functioning royal residence, Holyroodhouse is not just a museum. People live there and it is used for other things. Consequently, like Windsor Castle in England, it has the feel of a living enterprise. Stirling Castle is essentially a museum. However, to bring it to life, the Royal Palace has guides who while dressed in period costume and assuming the identity of members of the court of James IV tell the story of the Palace. It is not only educational but entertaining.

Beyondships' article with photographs on visiting Holyroodhouse Palace is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-scotland-holyroodhouse.html Our illustrated article on visiting Stirling Castle is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---scotland---stirling-castle.html