A towering figure in Scottish Renaissance history, Mary of Guise was partly educated in a convent but ended her life in Scotland at the helm of a kingdom torn by war and religious strife.

Born to a great French noble family, she was witty, beautiful, charming, intelligent and rich. Mary was persuaded to marry James V of Scotland in 1538 and after his untimely death, aged 30, she stayed to carve out a powerful political career in a violent and male-dominated world, and to fight for the rights of her infant daughter Mary, Queen of Scots.

Her story is closely entwined with Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Linlithgow Palace. This trail highlights the links between these places and the life of a woman who ruled the country as Queen Regent, was the last great defender of the Auld Alliance with France, and whose grandson united the thrones of Scotland and England.

Once you have done the trail you may be interested to look up the many other places in the care of Historic Scotland and other organisations which are also connected to Mary of Guise.