A theatre for dramatic events, Holyroodhouse (15 -17C.) was originally a guest house responsible to the Abbey. The Stuart kings converted it into a royal residence and Charles II commissioned William Bruce to design a new layout. The Castle became a royal residence again under Queen Victoria.
The buildings of the interior court are a fine example of the renaissance period. Notice the decoration of the State apartments, especially the high relief of the ceilings in the sumptuous day room.