Queen Mary's Bath House, Edinburgh: Rare 16th century survival
Queen Mary's Bath House in Edinburgh is a highly unusual and very rare late 16th century survival.
The small landmark, with a crooked shape, was built around 1560.
The building consists of a small tower like structure with two storeys with a tile roof that stands within the grounds of Holyrood Palace.
It was thought to have been built as a summer house or Tudor tennis pavilion.
Many people believe that this is the oldest tennis pavilion in the world!
There are also theories, however, that this was used as a dovecot and an intimate banqueting house.
The truth is, very little is known about the true purpose of the building as most of the stories surrounding its existence can only be attributed to urban myths.
But, the Royal Collection Trust says that, contrary to the title, this building was probably never used as a bath house.
It may instead have functioned as a summer house or dovecote… Who knows!
A blue plaque that is placed on the structure, says: This little two-storied building is traditionally associated with Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 -1587).
It is estimated that the building itself dates somewhere around 1565. She ruled over Scotland from 1542-1567, thus the building is attributed to her reign.
Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the best known figure in Scotland’s royal history.
Her life provided tragedy and romance, more dramatic than any legend.
She was born in 1542 a week before her father, King James V of Scotland, died prematurely.
It was initially arranged for Mary to marry the English King Henry VIII’s son Prince Edward; however the Scots refused to ratify the agreement.
None too pleased by this, Henry sought to change their mind through a show of force, a war between Scotland and England - the so called ‘Rough Wooing’.
In the middle of this, Mary was sent to France in 1548 to be the bride of the Dauphin, the young French prince, in order to secure a Catholic alliance against Protestant England.
In 1561, after the Dauphin, still in his teens, died, Mary reluctantly returned to Scotland, a young and beautiful widow.
However, she was executed on 8 February 1587 at Fotheringhay Castle, in Northamptonshire.
After nineteen years in captivity, she was found guilty of plotting the assassination of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
If you are interested in learning more about Mary Queen of Scots, there are plenty of castles and attractions that you can visit in and around Edinburgh!
Especially Edinburgh Castle - one of the most exciting historic sites in Western Europe.
Mary knew how to put on a show – she hosted many grand affairs at the castle and carefully choreographed clothing, banquets and entertainment full of symbolism.
On several occasions during her reign, Edinburgh Castle was used as an iconic location at the heart of major royal events.
She also gave birth at Edinburgh Castle, to the future King James VI here, on 19th June 1566.
When the time came, she moved to the tiny room, known as the birth chamber, where she gave birth.
If you visit the castle today you can visit the birth room and Mary’s former bedchamber.
A new exhibition in the Mary Room explores her legacy and the fate of her descendants.
If you’d like to visit Queen Mary’s Bathhouse in Edinburgh, the building is situated to the left of Holyrood Palace.
Unfortunately, there is no access to the interior, but it can be viewed from the outside.
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