圣十字架宫21

The fortunes of the Palace of Holyroodhouse would descend to their lowest ebb.

While the troops of Oliver Cromwell were billeted there in 1651, 1651

fire broke out and the Palace was badly damaged.

Years of neglect followed, as Scotland too was devastated by civil war,

made worse by the clan loyalties of the Highlanders.

Holyrood's renaissance came in 1660,with the restoration of the monarchy. 1660

Its saviour was Charles II.

If you met Charles at a dinner party, you would find him immensely charming.

I mean, he was clearly one of those people who had that, sort of spot light quality,

in that when he talked to you, you would think you were the only person in the room.

He was a person who had that sort of glamour that makes him a hugely popular figure at times.

You know, he would definitely be, as it were,a celebrity without trying.