Palace Page Turners

Palace Page Turners is back at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Saturday 5 December, from 14:00 to 15:45. It's a session that pairs a literary work with the objects and spaces that shaped it, followed by a discussion over tea or coffee. The texts are inspired by the palace and its treasures, and the whole thing takes place within the palace itself, so you're talking about the building while you're standing in it.

That's the thing about Holyroodhouse: it's the King's official residence in Scotland, sitting at the bottom of the Royal Mile and holding centuries of royal history. Legend has it the abbey on the site was founded in 1128 by David I after he saw a vision of a stag, and the gardens date back to 1503 and still host royal events. The rooms have close associations with Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and inside you'll find the King's Bedchamber, the Throne Room and the Darnley Jewel. The Page Turners sessions draw on the authors who were inspired by the palace and its treasures, so the literary side of the afternoon is tied directly to the place.

It's a slow-paced afternoon rather than a quick tour. You start with the literary work, see the objects and spaces that inspired it, and then stay on for a discussion over tea or coffee. One thing to keep in mind: the texts aren't included in the ticket price, so you'll need to buy your copy beforehand if you want to follow along. Tickets are £10 for adults, and booking is essential. The session runs from 14:00 to 15:45 on Saturday 5 December at The Palace of Holyroodhouse.