A cold day in January.....

During the cold grey days of winter this small group of daffodils, always the first to bloom in a warm and sheltered corner of the garden, add a much welcomed splash of sunshine
and remind me that spring will soon come again.

So instead of gloomy Normandy today let's go back for another visit to Edinburgh and take a stroll around the historic Palace of Holyrood, HRH Queen Elizabeth's Royal Residence there.

The Palace of Holyrood is steeped in history, from the moment you go through the huge wooden doors you can feel the ghosts of Scottish Kings and Queens surround you.

Click here to meet them all...................................

An Augustinian monastery was first settled on the site in 1128 by King David 1. Other buildings, including these now ruined cloisters, were added over the next century and a royal residence was also maintained here.

Perhaps the most famous (infamous?) resident of all was Mary, Queen of Scots who left the French court to come and live here in 1561.

As we toured the Royal Apartments I could hardly believe at one point that I was actually standing in the very room where Mary's jealous second husband Lord Darnley and his friends brutally murdered her secretary, David Rizzio.

Sadly, photography inside Holyrood House is not permitted so I urge you to visit it for yourself if you ever have the opportunity.

The inner court yard.

After touring the Palace and gardens we sat for a while listening to a lone piper playing the bagpipes somewhere in the distance beneath Arthur's Seat, a perfect way to end our tour.

Our visit to Edinburgh coincided with the 2014 Ryder Cup Golf Tournament which was being promoted all over the City.

We stayed at the Glasshouse, one of Marriott's Autograph Collection of boutique hotels, there were quite a few golfing enthusiasts staying there too.

We were lucky enough to be upgraded to the Macallan Suite and really enjoyed the access to the rooftop garden which this gave us.

A beautiful tranquil oasis  in the middle of Scotland's Capital City.

I wonder have you ever been to Edinburgh?

What was your favourite thing to do there?

Linking to Sunlit Sunday with Karen @ My Little Home and Garden
and
Mosaic Monday with Judith @ Lavender Cottage.