‘Edinburgh made a great impression upon us; it is quite beautiful & totally unlike anything I have seen’, the queen wrote in her journal in September 1842. Victoria and Albert’s first visit to Scotland sparked a deep love for the country which was nurtured by several further tours. A recommendation by Victoria’s physician led to the couple visiting Deeside in Aberdeenshire in 1848, where they decided to create a second family home, Balmoral Castle.

From 1850, the royal family stayed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s seat in Scotland, on their annual journeys north. They often carried out civic engagements in the city, and enjoyed visiting landmarks such as Arthur’s Seat and Rosslyn Chapel. In 1854 the palace became a tourist attraction when Victoria gave permission for the historic apartments to be opened to paying visitors.