Overlooking her birthplace.

Mary, Queen of Scots was born here at Linlithgow Palace in 1542. She became Queen only 6 days after her birth, after the death of her father King James V of Scotland.

History shows her life was tumultuous, full of murder, intrigue, conspiracy and disastrous marriages. It came to an end when she was executed on the instructions of Queen Elizabeth of England. She was beheaded in 1587.

Mary’s son became James XI Scotland and James I of England, uniting the thrones.

The statue is the first public statue of Mary Queen of Scots. It was unveiled in 2015, over 500 years since her birth. It’s one of less than 2 dozen depicting female figures, (a dozen are of Queen Victoria). It’s quite ridiculous it took so long to recognise this Scottish figure, who is known worldwide.

I’m going to see the new Mary Queen of Scots film at the Macrobert Arts Centre at the University of Stirling early next month.