As you stroll towards the palace explain that it was commissioned in 1538 by James V to celebrate his marriage to Mary de Guise, so she would have a residence as fine as anything her native France could offer.

Point to the statues of Venus on the north and east sides of the palace and describe how they represent very different sides of her character. Experts interpret one as being about harmony and lawful love (on the main north façade), while the other reflects the racier side of things – lust and illicit passions.

See if you can spot the chubby cherubs known as putti on the main façade – symbolising peace and love.

In the Chapel Royal describe how the beautiful tapestries on the wall tell one of the most romantic tales of medieval Europe – The Hunt of the Unicorn. On one level it is about courtly love, and how man’s wild heart is captured by the love of his lady. For further effect you can add that some myths of the time said the best way to catch a unicorn was to send a virgin into the forest (preferably bare breasted) and the poor beast would be so enchanted it would lay its head in her lap and go to sleep.

Over at the Great Hall you can reveal that this was the place where the baptism of James VI was celebrated. This was the culmination of the  passionate and ultimately tragic love affair between Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. It all began at the castle when the queen – so taken by the tall and handsome young man – decided to personally nurse him through a bout of measles.