Contrary Mary

Major Project

Contrary Mary is an interpretation proposal for Craigmillar Castle which aims to challenge the traditionally male, military based interpretation of Scotland’s Castles. Throughout history Mary Queen of Scot’s has been portrayed as a “difficult” woman. A female leader in a patriarchal society, a practising Catholic in a Protestant country and raised in France but the ruler of Scotland. Mary was certainly, contrary. In recent years, one of the most contrary things about her is how the media chose to portray her character and her story, particularly her involvement in the Craigmillar Bond.