27 October 2023
|
As British Summer Time comes to an end, Horological Conservators will work through the weekend to adjust the clocks at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Royal Collection contains some of the finest historic clocks in existence, many of which are on display to visitors at the royal residences Palace of Holyroodhouse, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. They include musical clocks, astronomical clocks, miniature clocks and turret clocks, and each must be carefully changed by hand to ensure that the times shown remain accurate for visitors, staff and residents.
Tjeerd Bakker, Senior Horological Conservator, said, ‘Clockmakers have been employed by the Royal Household for centuries, and it is a privilege to continue that tradition and to get to work with this extraordinary collection every day. Visitors love the fact that the clocks are kept running and on time; they are a key part of the experience of visiting the State Apartments at these working royal residences.’
Interestingly, it takes longer to change the clocks in wintertime as not all clocks can have their hands rotated counterclockwise; the best practice for these clocks is to stop them and then return an hour later to restart them.
Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023
