As the palace launch date draws closer, the sixty performers who’ll entertain visitors are having final costume fittings. Dressed in their renaissance costumes they will bring to life the splendour of the royal Stewart Court. 

And the youngest member of our large cast has also been busy - celebrating her fifth birthday.  Little Catriona Glennie of Law in South Lanarkshire will play the infant Mary Queen of Scots on 4th and 5th June.  Catriona’s mother Joanne, a member of historical re-enactment group ‘Fire and Sword’, will be taking the role of the royal nursemaid.

Catriona is excitedly looking forward to her starring role.  Like most little girls, she loves dressing up so can’t wait to get the chance to wear a wonderful costume and pretend to be a real queen. Joanne tells us that some negotiations were necessary over the dress colour though; the pink Catriona wanted wasn’t a suitably regal shade for a young queen in the 16th century!

Both mother and daughter are delighted to be playing their part in the celebrations marking the palace’s opening.  They’ll arrive at the event in the royal procession on Saturday morning.   Following Mary of Guise, who is on horseback, they’ll be accompanied by armed guards, courtiers, ladies-in-waiting, musicians, jesters and jugglers. 

When the procession gets to the drawbridge, a cannon will be fired to greet the royal party, and after the keeper of the castle welcomes the two queens, everyone proceeds inside to the palace.  Surely no other five-year old has enjoyed such a grand entrance for her first starring role!  

Make sure you come along to cheer on Catriona  - book your tickets now for Stirling Castle presents – A Palace Fit for a Queen.

Ellen Drummond Ferroni, Stirling Castle Communications