The Royal Palace, Stirling Castle

Stunning! A Renaissance gem Newly restored to its former Grandeur In all of its magnificent Splendor The palace looks now As it might have looked In 1545 The home of King James V and his wife Mary of Guise The parents of Mary, Queen of Scots Wealthy, learned, sophisticated These were not crude, barbarian Rubes Living in the dark, drab medieval Spaces of cold, uncultured Europe Bright colors, ornate tapestries Rich fabrics Artful decorations A ceiling of carved heads Beautifully painted Kings and queens of Scotland Emperors of ancient Rome Heroes of the Bible James V became King at 17 months old After his father, James IV Was killed at Flodden Field His mother, Margaret, was the sister Of Henry VIII James's palace was his crowning Glory A lover and patron of Poetry and music He died of an illness At the age of 30 His daughter, Mary Becoming Queen At 6 days old They come to life here Ghosts walking In the re-enacted flair of Ages past Be wary where you step The Swiss Guard is on Alert and waiting... The Palace at Stirling Of all the extraordinary Castles in Scotland This one Certainly Should not be missed. ~ Laurence Overmire (Previously published in The Ghost of Rabbie Burns: An American Poet's Journey Through Scotland, Indelible Mark Publishing,2016)