Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Queen when in Scotland. (Balmoral Castle is her vacation residence.) It is used by her and other royalty for carrying out official business. It is also best known for being the setting for the many dramatic episodes in the life of Mary Queen of Scots who in the end was beheaded. We found Mary's rooms grand but dark and cold. Many of her personal effects are on display and were fun to see.