Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587)
Perhaps the most famous and intriguing of Scotland’s monarchs, Mary has many associations with the Trossachs area. As a child, Mary was sent for safety to Inchmahome Priory, on an island in the Lake of Menteith, before her departure for France. She left from Dumbarton Castle. Later, after the death of the Dauphin, her first husband, she returned from France. Places in Stirling associated with her include the Church of the Holy Rude, where Mary worshipped and her son was crowned; also Darnley's House (no 16-18 Bow Street) where Mary's second husband was popularly supposed to have lived while Mary used Stirling Castle. To the west, Doune Castle has 'Queen Mary's apartments' - noted for their early form of central heating!
