A host of delights for visitors to feast their eyes upon will be revealed when we open the doors of our Renaissance palace to the public for the first time.  One of the highlights of our great programme of entertainments at Stirling Castle Presents – A Palace Fit For a Queen on 4th and 5th June is a taste of the amazing culinary treats which would have been prepared for the royal Stewart court in the 16th century.

A team of cooks will be demonstrating how the palace kitchens would have prepared a feast fit for royalty.  And visitors will see a range of fine fare and fabulous dishes which the young Mary Queen of Scots, her mother Mary of Guise, and their courtiers would have enjoyed at the palace in the 1540s.

Perhaps surprisingly, lots of sweet treats such as marzipan fancies, featured prominently on the menu.  And for special banquets and celebrations, some amazing desserts and confectionary intended to amuse the royals and impress their guests were designed and painstakingly created. 

This was a chance for the palace confectioner to show off his skills and ingenuity - but as he’d never have been allowed anywhere near the esteemed diners, he’d never have seen their reaction to his handiwork, or received any thanks for it.  We’re looking forward to seeing what you think of a splendid example of his creations though.  Specially made for the palace’s grand opening by the talented Kevin Sands of Ringford near Kirkcudbright - and five days in the making - it’s a superb model of the warship ‘The Great Michael’, handcrafted from sugar and firing miniature cannon balls!

If you’d like to see our fantastic ship of sugar and all of the other stunning attractions at the palace opening, remember you need to buy tickets in advance, so do book now!

Gillian Macdonald,  Stirling Castle Executive Manager