Linlithgow Palace is today a ruin but was once an important Royal residence. The building first started out as a structure made from wood and earth, but was destroyed by fire in 1424. What followed in 1624 was the construction of one of the finest Renaissance façades in Scotland. The Palace was the birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots and a popular residence of the Stuart monarchs. However, the Palace was again to be destroyed by fire as in 1746 the Duke of Cumberlands army left the Palace to burn.