Therefore the fate of Mary Stuart is sealed

A pale grey sky, landes dotted with bouquets of layered, a wind which red faces and rain which Watercolour landscapes... This leaves us in Scotland. "It is a tragic country (...)". "dark and romantic as a ballad", writes Stefan Zweig in the first pages of his book on Mary Stuart. An invitation to "walk" in the footsteps of the Queen at the broken destiny remained dear to the memory of the Scots, under the name of "Mary", Queen of Scots.

It is at Linlithgow, North of Edinburgh Castle, Marie of Guise-Lorraine, wife of the King of Scotland Jacques V, gives the day to Mary Stuart in December 1542. Six days later, his father dead and buried, Marie is successful. Eyes barely open, she engaged in a fierce world, where royal authority is little powerful Scottish clans and the bloody battles with the English. Religion is mixed Henry VIII, King of England, wishing to impose reform, combat the Catholics that the Stuart family.

Today, the Palace of Linlithgow, there remains only the solid walls of sandstone, but within them can collect the echoes of its inhabitants in the 16th century. At the bottom of long reception room on the first floor, a chimney monumental, the largest in Scotland, warmed the atmosphere. There, back to the fire, dined the royal couple. On the other hand, a high window offered a recess for private interviews. Then there is always erected, carved fountain in the centre of the Court in 1538 to celebrate the marriage of Jacques V.

Threatened with abduction, little Marie is hardly a peaceful childhood. Henry VIII to marry his son to gather the crowns of Scotland and England. The France King, Henri II, wants to prevent a union. Also Marie de Guise hides his daughter in the fortress of Stirling, which occupies a key position on the road from the Highlands. Built at the beginning of the Millennium on a spur of volcanic rocks, it dominates the countryside of its imposing mass. Behind its walls, it is home to some unique works. Thus the Great Hall, yellow, color walls "king's gold", built by Jacques III to bring representatives of banquets clans...

The Priory of Inchmahome.

But Stirling does not totally safe little Marie of the English men. Her mother therefore shipped secretly to the Priory of Inchmahome, nestled on a small island in the Lake of Menteith, which only can be accessed only by boat. A place of peace and harmony. Today, the ruins of the Priory, lurking in the Green, hit by sweetness and simplicity. For Mary, this is just a parenthesis. Shortly after, she is taken in France. She has five years and eight months. "His childhood ended, his destiny will begin," writes Zweig.

She will return in Scotland that in adulthood, after it was briefly Queen of France and widow of François II. Ronsard and Du Bellay have leased its vivacity and grace. But the miniature of François Clouet of 1559, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, painted during his wedding to François II, does no justice to his physical: too long nose, mouth sealed, severe hazel eyes, red hair strictly back from... Located in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse remained a royal residence. There, played one of the first painful episodes of its existence: the assassination of his Secretary David Rizzio, Italian France came with it. Jealous of their complicity, lord Darnley, whom she married in 1565, the fact stab. His blood still spot the floor of the room when it has expired.

... to Edinburgh

Marie left Holyroodhouse, where she feels more secure, and takes refuge in the strong fortress of Edinburgh to give birth to a son, a future King of Scotland, June 9, 1566. Four weeks later, she left only one travel to Castle in Castle. One of his favorite places is Falkland Castle, a jewel of the Scottish Renaissance where she went to hunt. There is a genuine court tennis time, that she sometimes attended. Disappointed by Darnley, she is deeply soon of his advisor Bothwell, to whom it has given all power in the Affairs of the country a former soldier, "which seems cut from a block of black marble," Zweig writes. For him, Mary Stuart is ready for anything, even to consent to the removal of the hated husband.

When, May 15, 1567, she remarried to her murderous lover, condemnation of the Scots is silent, but palpable. Bothwell prefer leaving Holyroodhouse for Borthwick Castle, a fortress a few miles from Edinburgh, today transformed into a comfortable hotel. The reception/dining room, can contemplate the window by which Mary Stuart is is escaped shortly after, disguised in page, to join trampled abattue threatened by the lords Bothwell.

Therefore, the fate of Mary Stuart is sealed. In Scotland, the revolt thunders. In Europe, nobody dares make his defence. His cousin and enemy Elisabeth, Queen of England, expects his time. Bothwell has saved life provided they rid the premises. Mary Stuart is dragged by the insurgents at Lochleven Castle, located in the middle of a lake. It is will be adopted almost a year and should abdicate to give the Crown to his son, Jacques VI. It is not twenty-five years. After a failed escape, it will be sent to England and translated into justice. Maintained in captivity for many years by Elisabeth, she will die decapitated February 8, 1587.