Sunday, 18th August 2002

On the eve of the 441st anniversary of Mary, Queen of Scots' return to Scotland from France, a group of the Marie Stuart Society members and local dignitaries gathered round The Shore in Leith. After several years of negotiations, the Society is delighted to have been granted permission to mark the spot where Mary first set foot on Scottish soil again.

Mary had been welcomed by thick haar, or sea mist, which in Scotland is not an unusual thing, even in August. Only the likes of John Knox would have read something nefarious into this: "The very face of heaven the time of her arrival did manifestly speak what comfort was brought unto this country with her, to wit, sorrow, dolour, darkness and all impiety." On the day of the unveiling ceremony however, the heavens held up while we listened to our President's speech, Margaret Lumsdaine, and watched her and Anne Gwynn remove the Saltire from the newly-laid plaque. Anne, who is the editor of our Journal, is behind all the hard work involved in bringing this project to fruition, while Gerhard Jooste donated the funds out of which the plaque was purchased.

When Mary landed back in 1561, nothing was ready for her at the Palace of Holyroodhouse as she was not expected for another two weeks. In the midst of the confusion she was taken to a nearby merchant's house, Andrew Lamb's house. There she stayed for an hour or so, and just like her the Marie Stuart party gathered round for refreshments at Malmaison Hotel at the other end of The Shore.