\paperw3360 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \ri45 \f1 \fs22 Holyrood became the official royal residence in Scotland in 1660, when the English monarchy was restored by\cf4 \ATXht13151000 \b Charles II\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , and extensive building was carried out during the following years. Two centuries were to go by before another monarch showed consistent interest in the palace. This was \b \cf4 \ATXht13221000 Queen Victoria\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , who developed a great love of Scotland. Under her aegis improvements were carried out inside the building and much was done to enhance its immediate setting. The forecourt was given a more seemly appearance in the 1860s by reconstructing the sta
bles in a simple style. Moreover, in 1854 formal provision was made for regular public access to parts of the palace. For all the building and decorating, however, Holyrood remained essentially a stopping-off place on the way to Balmoral, albeit one of
which Queen Victoria was very fond. \par
In fact it was only during the reign of George V\b \b0 and Queen Mary (1910-1936) that Holyrood became a much-loved family home. Under the QueenÆs careful guidance, those interiors that had been left incomplet
e since Charles IIÆs time were finished with woodwork and plaster ceilings in similarity with the best of the 17th century work. Since then it has become one of Scotland's most visited historic buildings.
