Mary Queen of Scots

Actor Brian Cox plays a scary boss who warns about the dangers of being tied to a desk all day in a new advert (Picture: Frazer Harrison)

10 highlights from the Edinburgh International Festival programme

Festival director Nicola Benedetti at the launch of this year's Edinburgh International Festival programme.

Eight-hour concert to open Edinburgh International Festival

James I and VI, a man born into trauma who peacefully, relatively speaking, expanded the Stuart dynasty across the land.

Life and loves of Scotland's 'gay' king born to Mary, Queen of Scots

The last letter written by Mary Queen of Scots, six hours before her execution in 1587 (left), and a death mask of the doomed monarch. PIC: NLS/Getty.

Mary Queen of Scots' letter written six hours before death put on show

The Darnley Sycamore in the southside of Glasgow, which is linked to Mary Queen of Scots and an important local landmark, was badly damaged in Friday's storm.

Ancient tree linked to Mary, Queen of Scots ripped apart in storm

Mary Queen of Scots depicted during the period she was held in captivity around Sheffield with the newly-decoded letters written during this time.

Mary Queen of Scots: Decoded letters reveal a monarch 'unfiltered'

The ruined castle you can stay in with Mary, Queen of Scots link

Edinburgh Castle takes the crown as the most Instagrammable spot in Scotland..

Edinburgh Castle: When was it built and who owns it?

Edinburgh Castle also made the list of the most ‘overrated’ tourist attractions in the UK.

Is Edinburgh Castle worth it?

Conservator Diana de Bellaigue removes tarnish from the Mary, Queen of Scots casket. PIC: Duncan McGlynn.

Mary Queen of Scots’ silver casket restored – but its secrets hold firm

Mary, Queen of Rock! will be staged at the Assembly Rooms at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Rock opera inspired by Mary Queen of Scots to be launched at Fringe

Exploring Easdale.

Spring Travel: the Chaotic Scot on her car(e)-free sustainable ethos of explorin...

The gold coin of James VI which shows him on a galley boat holding the combined arms of England and Scotland. PIC: Contributed.

Mary Queen of Scots: Two 'exceedingly rare' 16th Century coins for sale

Hailes Castle near Haddington, East Lothian, dates from the 13th Century and is for sale at auction for offers over £284,000.

Castle linked to Mary Queen of Scots and her third wedding comes up for auction

David Tennant will host the 2024 Baftas.

Everything you need to know about David Tennant

Inchmahome Priory on the Lake of Menteith

Manning a boat for Mary Queen of Scots' hideaway and other jobs for history fans

Jack Lowden is quickly becoming one of Scotland's most recognisable actors.

13 interesting quotes from Scottish Slow Horses star Jack Lowden

The White Horse transformed into an Oyster Bar in 2017

Famous bar located on the Royal Mile sold for more than £1.2 million

Lanton Tower, Jedburgh

Prestige property: Tower of strength in rolling Borders country

Scotland has over 30,000 lochs but only one natural lake; the Lake of Menteith in the Trossachs region. There are many theories to account for this curious distinction.

Explainer Loch vs Lake: Why does Scotland have 30,000 lochs but only one lake?

According to the historian Robert Stedall, the Queen is related to Mary Queen of Scots via Henry VII's sister Queen Margaret of Scotland.

Explainer Queen Elizabeth II and her Scottish Ancestry and love of Scotland

Author Thomas Harding. Picture Christian Jungeblodt/Iaif

Author Thomas Harding on publisher George Weidenfeld: ‘He was a passionate belie...

One of Mary Queen of Scots’ lesser known battles will be re-enacted at Banchory this Sunday

Clash of North East Clans: Mary Queen of Scots’ lesser known Aberdeenshire battl...

Mary, Queen Of Scots, played by Mirjam Nilsson, and Lord Darnley, played by Marc Tannahill, were married for less than two years (Picture: Scott Louden)

Time to re-open Scotland's coldest murder case, 456 years on?

Alan Steele as Falstaff and Sam Stopford as Prince Hal in Gordon Barr's version of Henry IV at 2023 Bard in the Botanics PIC: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Theatre reviews: Keepin' the Heid | Henry IV

Linlithgow Palace has been closed since early last year after issues were detected with the safety of masonry at former pleasure palace of the Stuart monarchs. It will now re-open to the public on Saturday. PIC: HES.

Mary Queen of Scots' birthplace opens after climate change and vandalism woes

Malcolm Lochhead with his November 1990 Keeping Glasgow in Stitches banner

Scotsman Obituaries: Malcolm Lochhead, talented Scottish textile artist

Red spraypaint was used to deface the top of the James V fountain, which sits in the central courtyard of the palace. PIC: HES.

Linlithgow Palace sprayed with red graffiti in 'wanton' attack by vandals

More than 50 previously undiscovered letters written by Mary Queen of Scots have been deciphered by a team of codebreakers with the secret correspondece detailing her struggles in captivity. PIC: Contributed.

'Lost' letters written by Mary Queen of Scots deciphered by codebreakers

Letters written by Mary Queen of Scots while she was in captivity have been found and decoded - more than 430 years after the former Queen of Scotland wrote them.

Mary Queen of Scots secret letters decoded after 430 years

Dots Obsession by Yayoi Kusama, part of the Flesh Arranges Itself Differently show at the Hunterian PIC: John Devlin / The Scotsman

Arts review of 2022: Susan Mansfield and Duncan Macmillan on the year in art

Myres Castle is up for sale with a price tag of £3.5m

Historic Fife castle up for sale with £3.5m price tag

Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and their Cabinet colleagues seem only to offer ineptitude and empty promises (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA)

SNP's rhetoric will not mask their multiple failings forever – Christine Jardine

Dr Anna Groundwater, principal Curator at the the National Museum Scotland, with a rare French silver casket believed to have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. Picture: Stewart Attwood

Silver casket linked to downfall of Mary Queen of Scots secured for the nation

Lily, Maria, Poppy and Lucy from Blackwood Primary School test out a new bridge at Loch Wood during the official opening event. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Woodland with links to Robert Burns and Mary Queen of Scots reopens

Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart in a scene from the film Mary Queen of Scots (Picture: Liam Daniel/Focus Features via AP)

Mary Queen of Scots used textiles to convey political messages – Laura Waddell

Visitors can meet Mary King in (Her) story tours

Mary King's Close create first women's history tours

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Explore Scotland's most famous film and TV locations

There's plenty of options for family-friendly days out during the mid-term break.

7 ideas to keep kids entertained on mid-term break

The letter, which features the handwriting of Mary Queen of Scots.

'Rare' letter written by Mary Queen of Scots sells for £32,500 at auction

Cathy Marsden of Lyon & Turnbull with a letter featuring the handwriting of Mary Queen of Scots that is being sold by the auction house next month. Photo: Stewart Attwood/Lyon & Turnbull/PA Wire

Letter written by Mary Queen of Scots to French ambassador up for sale

Beth Malcolm PIC: Graeme Rogers

Ones to watch in 2022: Beth Malcolm, musician
With a new album in the pipeline and a string of live dates in the diary, the future’s looking bright for singer-songwriter Beth Malcolm. Interview by Jim Gilch...

Dennis the Menace and Mary Queen of Scots paid a visit with eight-year-old Rocco Cesari and five-year-old Francesca Cesari to Luke Winter of the Story Wagon – a touring space offering creative writing, traditional storytelling and story sharing activities – at The Kelpies in Falkirk to launch Scotland's Year of Stories. Picture: VisitScotland/Chris Watt

Centuries of Scottish stories to be showcased in year-long culture celebration

The piece of embroidered bed curtain said to have been stitched by Mary Queen of Scots. PIC: Contributed.

Piece of embroidery 'stitched by Mary Queen of Scots' comes up at auction

Parts of Winton Castle near Edinburgh date to the 15th Century with a Renaissance-style palace later created. PIC: Al James/CC

Owning a castle is hard work warns East Lothian Baronet

Queen of Scotland and of France, in mourning dress, from painting by François Clouet, 16th century (Photo: Gianni Dagli Orti/Shutterstock).

Most UK residents 'cannot recognise Scotland's most famous queen'

Restaurant Review: Luckenbooths, Edinburgh

Brucefield owner Victoria Bruce-Winkler, a biologist who inherited the property from her mother in 2012, is passionate about regenerating the estate for a new generation

Scottish estate with links to Mary Queen of Scots opens for sleepovers

A 17th Century iron collar from Fife used as an instrument of torture on those accused of witchcraft. It has been used to illustrate the case of a woman accused of being a lesbian, with the authorities later treating her as a witch.PIC: NMS.

Hidden gay histories of national collection treasures revealed

Over its 30-year lifespan Kype Muir wind farm is expected to pay out more than £100 million in community benefits while generating up to 155 megawatts of electricity each year – enough to power more than 110,000 homes or a city the size of Aberdeen

Ancient woodland linked to Robert Burns transformed after community buyout

Bloody Mary

Edinburgh Dungeon relaunches Cursed Crown experience, and we take the family.

Steeped in history, Andrew Greig, author of Rose Nicolson

Walk the same streets as characters in new novel from Andrew Greig

The carving shows a much smaller figure complete with gash wound and hanging entrails and is believed to be the assasin of the abbot. PIC: HES.

13th Century carving records 'abbot's assassination' at Scottish abbey

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly refused the Earl of Dumbarton title for Archie (Getty Images/Shutterstock)

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Jodie Turner-Smith stands trial at Anne Boleyn

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Catch these movies before they disappear.

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The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

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Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries