Yao Hui

On 19 August 1561, after thirteen years in France, Mary, Queen of Scots, returned to Scotland, marking the beginning of the most tragic and legendary half of her life. She landed at Leith, having travelled by sea after Elizabeth I refused her permission to pass through England.

This made me wonder: exactly where did Mary come ashore in Leith 465 years ago? After some research, I discovered a commemorative plaque set into the bank of the Water of Leith in 2002, marking the traditional landing site. Due to heavy sea fog, Mary arrived earlier than expected, and no formal welcome ceremony had been prepared.

According to historical records, including those of John Knox, as Holyrood Palace was not yet ready, Mary may have rested for several hours at the house of a Leith merchant, Andrew Lamb, before proceeding to Edinburgh for the official ceremonies. This house, known as Lamb’s House, stands at the junction of Burgess Street and Water Street. Although much of the present structure dates from the early 17th century, the site has long been regarded as Mary’s first stopping place after returning to her own kingdom.

Historically, the Port of Leith was Edinburgh’s most important gateway. In a deliberate echo of this moment, King George IV also chose to land in the same area during his visit to Scotland in 1822, paying tribute to this powerful historical connection.

I took a few photographs to show what the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, first set foot in her homeland looks like today. The final image shows Lamb’s House as it stands now—beautifully renovated by local architects Kristin Hannesdottir and Nicholas Groves-Raines, who used it as both their architectural practice and private residence. The property is currently on the market for £3,750,000. You can also view the interior of the house through this link: search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedscedt200220

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5 days ago | [YT] | 20

Yao Hui

On Saturday, I visited the Perth Museum and viewed the last handwritten letter of Mary, Queen of Scots.

At 2 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 February 1587, Mary was writing to her brother-in-law, Henry III of France, to put her affairs in order. Her execution at Fotheringhay Castle was scheduled to take place six hours later. 

The letter was written in French. Through a translated version, I was able to understand its contents. Both the handwriting and the tone of the letter reflect Mary’s composure and calmness in the face of death. 

What touched me deeply was that she mentioned twice in the letter that she asked the French king pay her servants’ wages, which shows that Mary was a very kind-hearted person.

Mary’s life was full of dramatic events, making it truly worth studying and reflecting upon for those of us living today. 

In the letter, she also mentioned that she had brought two precious stones for Henry III, described as talismans against illness, trusting that he would enjoy good health and a long, happy life.

I am curious — where are these two stones now?

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1 week ago | [YT] | 5

Yao Hui

I spent a very chilly Saturday in Dundee, at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort on the outskirts of the city. The grass was covered with frost, so I had to walk very carefully. The edges of the small lake were frozen solid, and there was a tiny wooden sauna cabin nearby. A lady quickly ran out and plunged into the icy, bone-chilling water.
I must say, the beef burgers here are absolutely delicious — highly recommended. Afterwards, I went to the V&A Museum, and before going in, I caught a glimpse of a stunning sunset.

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 11

Yao Hui

Today is Remembrance Sunday. This morning, I went to the Royal Mile to film the parade. The procession began at the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and made its way down to the City Chambers for the remembrance ceremony. Leading the march were the RAF Central Scotland Pipes & Drums, followed by veterans’ detachments and Tri-Service Cadets. The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland accompanied the contingents of the Royal Navy, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the RAF. The First Minister of Scotland and other dignitaries were in attendance. Despite the rain, the streets were lined with spectators, and the entire event felt both solemn and profoundly moving. 

This was my first time capturing the occasion on video. I still remember my first Remembrance Sunday back in 2012 in London — I happened to be there for a work trip and came across the parade by chance. It was such a grand and dignified ceremony that I was deeply moved and took countless photos. Time truly flies — 13 years have passed in the blink of an eye. I just rediscovered those old photos on an external hard drive and selected ten of them to share with friends today.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 144

Yao Hui

My son has been studying the Battle of Waterloo over the past few days. He has learned about the date, background, and belligerents of the battle, and also watched the 1970 film Waterloo. Through this, he came to know more about Napoleon and Wellington.

Just this past Sunday, I took him to Edinburgh Castle, where we visited the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum. There, we were able to see up close some remarkable trophies from the Battle of Waterloo — the regimental colour of Napoleon’s 45th Infantry Regiment and the bronze eagle that once topped it. These were seized during the first charge by Charles Ewart of the Scots Greys. After many twists and turns, they are now preserved in the museum. Today, the eagle has become the cap badge and collar badge of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

We also viewed an oil painting depicting Charles Ewart fighting bravely at Waterloo and capturing the French standard. Charles Ewart became a hero and a legend upon his return to Britain. He died at the age of 77 in 1846 and was originally buried in a chapel’s graveyard in Manchester. The grave was paved over and forgotten for many years, until it was rediscovered in the 1930s. In 1938, his remains were reburied by the Royal Scots Greys on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. 

We paid our respects at Charles Ewart’s grave, passed by the pub named in his honour, and finally made our way to the Wellington statue, where we took a photo to commemorate the visit.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 56

Yao Hui

Ten days ago, on September 20th, I visited the small town of Lochgilphead and filmed the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) marching for the Freedom of Argyll and Bute. The parade was led by the 2 SCOTS Pipes and Drums, accompanied by the regiment’s beloved mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV — an adorable Shetland pony.

I travelled from Edinburgh by bus to Glasgow, then changed buses north along Loch Lomond before heading west, making the entire round trip about eight hours. Since filming the regiment’s march in Linlithgow back in June, it was a great honour and joy to capture the Royal Regiment of Scotland again, this time in such a remote town in western Scotland.

The scenery along the way and in Lochgilphead itself was absolutely charming. Here are a few snapshots I took to share with friends — thank you all for watching and following my journey.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 34

Yao Hui

I took these photos on 2nd July, 2012, capturing the ceremonial guards marching out after the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during Royal Week in Edinburgh. Back then, I was passionate about photographing all aspects of Edinburgh. But times have changed — nowadays, more and more people prefer watching videos. So I gradually shifted to filming, and over time, I’ve built a growing collection of videos showcasing this beautiful city.

In 2025, I once again documented Royal Week in Edinburgh and have published two new videos — I warmly invite you to check them out! 
https://youtu.be/-azJmI5U6m8?si=er5_Q...
https://youtu.be/Uu3Zr5QJs7M?si=O7wYU...

I’ve also noticed some changes in the ceremony itself. In the past, the Ceremony of the Keys took place in the palace’s forecourt, where passersby could catch glimpses through the main iron gates and even film parts of the event. However, the ceremony has now been moved to the back garden, making it no longer visible to the public. Additionally, this time, the area where the guards and military band form up and dismiss was fenced off, keeping the public further away.

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7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 92

Yao Hui

Today is Armed Forces Day. The first time I photographed Armed Forces Day was in 2012. Time flies — 13 years have already passed. The little girl dancing in the photo must be working now! And the little boy dressed in a navy uniform may have become a real soldier by now. That year, the celebration took place in Princes Street Gardens. Armed Forces Day 2025, I returned again, but this time I focused mainly on capturing video. I hope to edit it soon and share it with friends.

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7 months ago | [YT] | 31

Yao Hui

Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony and official mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, has received more medals than most soldiers! The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland — their full ceremonial uniforms look awesome! But I’ve always wondered how the drum major manages to find his way with that massive bearskin on!

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7 months ago | [YT] | 62