Page 75 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL WINTER 2024 SCOTLAND

throne. But shortly after their arrival, he martyr, as most are.
suddenly died. And today St. Margaret's Chapel is still
In 1066 her widowed mother decided to used for services, reflective prayer, bap‐
return to the European continent to flee the tisms and weddings--and continues, after
Norman Conquest but, the story goes, over 80 years, to have fresh flowers regu‐
strong winds caused their boat to sail north larly supplied--to welcome worshippers and
and they ended up in Scotland instead. tourists--by members of St. Margaret's
There Margaret met King Malcolm III, who Chapel Guild.
had been previously married, with two sons.
They wed in 1070; she was 23 and he was IF YOU GO
39. They were not much alike--he a rather
uncouth warrior who spoke a few lan‐ Canongate Kirk: www.canongatekirk.org.uk
guages but couldn't read or write; she a
spiritual, compassionate Christian, a devout Palace of Holyroodhouse:
Roman Catholic who recited Scripture to www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/palace-of-
him--which had a calming influence on her holyroodhouse
husband. They had six sons (three--Edgar,
Alexander, and David--would become kings St. Margaret's Chapel:
of Scotland) and two daughters. www.stmargaretschapel.com
Fondly referred to as "The Pearl of
Scotland," beautiful, intelligent Margaret Edinburgh Castle:
was queen from 1070 until her death, age www.edinburghcastle.scot
48, in 1093 at Edinburgh Castle. During her
reign she spent long hours praying, regu‐ The Witchery by the Castle (great, magical
larly fasted, gave food to the poor, and of‐ place to eat; reserve ahead):
www.thewitchery.com
ten fed orphaned children herself. She
helped establish churches and monasteries
and always traveled with her jeweled
Gospel book--which, as the story goes, Saint Margaret’s Chapel.
once fell into a river and, miraculously, was Opposite: Illustration of
not damaged. She established free ferry Saint Margaret.
service over the Forth estuary, making it
easier for worshippers to attend the shrine
at St. Andrew's. The towns of North and
South Queensferry are named in her honor.
In 1093 her husband Malcolm was killed
in battle, as well as her eldest son, Edward.
Grief-stricken, Margaret died three days
later.
Said to perform miraculous healings af‐
ter her death upon prayers of her faithful
followers, she was canonized by Pope Inno‐
cent IV in 1250. It was quite unusual for a
wife, mother and queen to be named a
saint, since she was neither a virgin nor a

WINEDINEANDTRAVEL.COM 75