We’re harking back to the days when dancing was rather more elegant than in the clubs and discos of modern Scotland. It’s a lovely idea, up to 30 primary age children are being invited to join our Renaissance Dance Workshops in June. They’ll dress up in costume and learn the kind of steps that would have been practised by Mary, Queen of Scots and her childhood friends in the castle’s royal palace in the 1540s.

The sessions are being led by our education officer Kirsten Wood and will be followed by a little public performance in the Chapel Royal. This is the kind of activity I love to see taking place, because they give children and parents such pleasure – and it’s a great chance for photos for the family album. Twenty years on you’ll be saying “Oh, do you remember this”.

The workshops are on June 26th and 27th (call 01786 431321 for details) and are just couple of weeks after one of our regular favourites, a 21 gun salute. This takes place on June 12th to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. The salutes always bring a sense of occasion to the castle.

Even sooner, and only if you are reading this before 9pm on Thursday June 20th, you can soon settle down in front of the TV and get a glimpse of medieval life at the castle. The BBC 2 History Cold Case series tries to unravel the identity of a knight found buried in a lost royal chapel. It’s exciting stuff and if you’ve missed it you can still watch it on BBC iplayer

If you catch the programme, let us know what you think? Are the experts right about who he was and where he came from, or could there be other explanations email hs.stirlingcastle@scotland.gsi.gov.uk and let us know.