Scottish rulers often led a hectic life, moving round the country to keep in touch, to bolster their authority and keep everything under control. Even short stays took enormous co-ordination as they would be accompanied by guards, servants and officials. Perhaps two or three hundred people as well as all that luggage. Most journeys were on horseback, so they were slow and (even in good weather) weren’t always comfortable. Surviving records show what a busy diary Mary of Guise had.

1st Dinner at Edinburgh then ship to Kirkcaldy for supper

2nd St Andrews

5th Falkland Palace

7th Lindores

8th Perth

Over the next few days she was in Dundee, Red Castle, Forfar, Coupar Angus, Perth and Tullibardine, to arrive in Stirling for supper on 16th. On 18th she was off to Linlithgow, arriving in Edinburgh for supper on 19th.

Mary then stayed in Edinburgh until setting off, via Linlithgow, to arrive at Stirling on 11th December. There she remained until after dinner on 16th January then off to supper and to spend the night at Castle Campbell.