On 1st September 1842, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Scotland for the first time. They first arrived at Granton where they went on to spend time touring Edinburgh and the Lothians before journeying to Perth and the Highlands.
Queen Victoria’s Journal:
“At ¼ to 1, in the night, we heard the anchor let down, — a welcome sound. — At 7, we went up on deck, where we breakfasted: Leith, was close on one side, the high hills over-towering Edinburgh, which was wrapped in fog; on the other side was May Island, where it is said Macduff held out against Macbeth; the Bass Rock, was behind us. After 8 we arrived at Granton Pier, where stood the Duke of Buccleuch, Sir Robert Peel, &c — They stepped on board, to see us, & the latter told us, the people were all in the highest good humour, though naturally a little disappointed at having mailed for us yesterday. We then stepped across a sort of bridge on to the Pier, the people cheering, & the Duke saying he begged to be allowed to "welcome" us. Before continuing, I must just mention how highly satisfied we both were, with the extreme attention & assiduity of Ld Adolphus, & all the Officers of the "Royal George", who hardly allowed themselves time to eat, & never, I really believe, to sleep! Our Ladies & Gentleman were all safe & well. We got into a Barouche, they, following, & the Duke, Equerries & Anson, riding. It is impossible to give a detailed, or perfectly correct account of our reception in Edinburgh. Though the crowds were not really so great, the crush was such that one was in constant dread of accidents. This need never have been, had there been more regularity & order; there had been some stupid mistake on the part of the Provost about giving due notice of our approach. Edinburgh made a great impression upon us; it is quite beautiful & totally unlike anything I have seen. The town is so regular, everything built of massive stone (not a brick to be seen). The High Street, which is pretty steep, is very fine, — then the Castle, situated on that perpendicular rock, in the centre of the town, is most striking, & the Calton Hill, on the opposite side, with the National Monument, a building, quite in Grecian style, & Nelson's Monument; that of Burns we also saw, & the Jail, & National School, &c — & all of them such splendid buildings, with Arthur's Seat, in the background, overtopping the whole. The enthusiasm was very great,& the people very friendly & kind. The Body Guard of the Royal Archers met us, & walked by the side of the carriage the whole way through the town, being dreadfully pushed about. They are almost all, Nobleman, amongst them being the Duke of Roxburgh, & Ld Elcho, who walked on my side, whilst Sir J. Hope walked on Albert's. Ld Elcho pointed out the various monuments & places to me, as we drove along. When we got outside the town, we got along faster. Every cottage is built of stone, so are all the walls. The country people have quite a different character to the English. The old women wear close fitting white caps & all the girls & children are barefooted, & have long, floating hair, & one sees many with red hair. As we came along, we saw the ruin of Craigmillar Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots, used to live. We reached Dalkeith at 11. It is a large house, built of reddish stone, the greater part having been built by the Dss of Monmouth, & the Park is fine & large. The Dss of Buccleuch arrived directly after us, & we were shown up a very handsome staircase, to our rooms, which are very comfortable comprising 2 Dressing Rooms & our Bed Room, with a small room at either end. We have 3 other rooms just opposite. — I received very satisfactory letters from Ly Lyttelton, about the Children, who are quite well. We both felt rather exhausted & giddy, everything seeming to go round & round. — We 2 drove out, after luncheon. The Park is fine & very extensive, with a beautiful view of Arthur's Seat & the Pentland Hills, & there is a very pretty drive, overhanging a deep valley. — We dined at 8. The Duke of Hamilton, the Duke & Dss of Argyll, Ld & Ly Abercorn, Ld & Ly Roseberry & Sir Neil Douglas, Ld & Ly Kinnoul, & Ld & Ly Hopetoun, dined, besides those in the house: Ld & Ly Cawdor, Ld Aberdeen, Sir Robert Peel, Ld & Ly J. Scott, & Mr & Ly Georgiana Balfour. The Duke of Buccleuch sat next to me. Everyone was very kind & civil, & full of enquiries, as to our voyage. Of course all our Suite, including Clark, are in the house.“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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