KING'S SCOTTISH PALACE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 36, 5 August 1911, Page 10

KING'S SCOTTISH PALACE.

Extensive alterations are now being made within Holyrood Palace. The rooms are being re-decorated, the electric light is being installed, and other necessary works are being carried out. A Supplementary Estimate of £6300 for these purposes was approved by Parliament during last session. It will be remembered that in May, 1003, nine months after their Coronation, King Edward and Queen Alexandra went to Scotland and held a levee and a Court at Holyrood—for the first time for 80 years. Their Majesties did not, however, take up their residence in the Palace, but occupied Dalkeith House, which was placed at their disposal by the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch.

Holyrood Palace has been a Royal residence since the days of James IV. Portions of it were destroyed by fire in 1544 and in 1650, and were rebuilt, on the second occasion by Sir William Bruce and Robert Myne, the King's Master-Mason for Scotland. It continued to be the home of the Kings of Scotland until James VI. succeeded to t'ic Throne of England. There are still preserved in the Royal apartments many pictures and articles belonging to his mother, Queen Mary. After James VI. went to England Holyrood was only used occasionally as a Itoyal residence; but it was visited by Charles 1., Churl's IT., and James 11., by Prince Charles Edward, both before and after the Battle of Prestonpans, and by George IV. and Queen Victoria. In August, 1860, and again in 1881 the Queen held reviews of Scottish volunteers at Holyrood. King Edward and his brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, lived in the Palace while attending Edinburgh University. The elections of Scottish peers takes place in the Palace, and here also are held the levees of the Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who resided in the Palace during the meetings of the assembly. When chosen, the site of Holyrood Palace was atlogether desirable. In these days its situation is unfortunate. Loft aside in the growth of Edinburgh it stands a house of many memories in a workers' quarter, among breweries and other undesirable associates. The Edinburgh scheme for a King Edward Memorial will effect a much desired improvement in the immediate vicinity of the Palace. Meanwhile it has to be approached circumspectly. The Royal route, said a recent writer, will not be by way of the historic Canongatc, whose smoky lice-hives, ten storeys high, looked down on Prince Charlie riding to hold his phantom levees in Holyrood; but,,will be via Princess street, which all Scots delight to call "the noblest thoroughfare in Europe." Round by the base of the picturesque Calton Hill the Royal cavalcade will sweep and Holyrood will be approached on its most reputable side.