Holyroodhouse

This is the Royal residence in Edinburgh. Striking palace, once meant to be a fortified castle but then much altered to be a residence suited for gracious living. No photos allowed of the interior, but frankly this was largely disappointing. Mostly the rooms are wood-panelled and covered in tapestries. But unfortunately tapestries fade with time, some colours more than most, and especially flesh tones. The result tends to be a dull green tinge. And to stop further fading low light levels are required, making dingy rooms even dingier.

Having said that, its certainly well worth a visit, finishing with the romantic ruined abbey attached.

I also managed to take in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee exhibition which had just opened this weekend at the adjacent Queen's Gallery. This is formed out of a selection from the royal collection, broad enough to be really engaging and small enough not to allow the attention to wander. Very satisfying overall.

But opposite the Gallery is the Scottish Parliament. A true eyesore. Trust me this picture in no way conveys the full ugliness of it. Pottering around Edinburgh one thinks yes this could be the capital of a nation,  a real State. Then you see the Assembly. And realise its like giving money to a feckless teenager. It only takes some unscrupulous grown up to flatter them and they will squander all their money on some costly bauble which will just turn out to be a pile of crap. They already have, and this is it. Awful, already horribly dated and of course many times over budget.