Scottish Royal Palaces: The Architecture of the Royal Residences During the Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Periods

Scottish Royal Palaces: The Architecture of the Royal Residences During the Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Periods by Dunbar, John G.. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781862320420.

This is the first exclusive survey of an outstanding group of buildings. The survival of Scotlands astonishing wealth of palaces of late medieval and early Renaissance date is due largely to the departure of king and court from Edinburgh to London in 1603: the royal residences became largely redundant thereafter and, with the notable exception of Holyroodhouse, were never replaced or renewed. These are buildings of outstanding historical and architectural interest, and this book reveals how the individual castles and palaces grew and how they functioned when the king and court were in residence. John Dunbar charts the growth of these remarkable buildings; the organisation of the royal works; and the roles of the principal officials and tradesmen responsible for the construction and maintenance of the royal houses.