Rhianna's turn to be queen! This is the great hall. James IV, assuming this was his work, clearly intended to impress. The Great Hall was the largest ever built in Scotland, measuring 138ft by 47ft: far larger than the hall at Edinburgh Castle, which measured just 95ft by 41ft. It is heated by five fireplaces. The space seems huge to 21st Century eyes. It must have been truly awe-inspiring in the 1500s.

The Great Hall had about a century's use in its original role as a royal hall. Events held here included the banquet following the baptism of James VI on 17 December 1566: while on 15 July 1578 twelve year old James presided over a meeting of the Scottish Parliament here.

Perhaps the most spectacular event seen in the Great Hall was the banquet following the christening of Prince Henry in the new Chapel Royal on 30 August 1594. The highlight of the banquet was a wooden ship, 18ft long with masts 40ft high. From it seafood was served to the guests. The ship came complete with 36 brass cannons that fired a salute to the Prince.