Scone Palace Perth Scotland History & Access

Scone Palace, Perth & Kinross, Scotland

Historic Scone Palace, Perth

Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland. — Scone Palace dates originally from 1580 but was rebuilt in the 19th century; it is a Category A listed building

Scone Palace is a historic palace located in the small town of Scone (pronounced skoon), just outside the larger town of Perth in Scotland. It is one of the most important historical places in Scotland. It was here that Scottish monarchs were enthroned.

Scone Palace, Scotland. — The palace belongs to the Murray family, Earls of Mansfield

History

An ancient gathering place of the Picts, Scone has a long history as a scene of coronation on what is known now as Moot Hill.

The history of the site is believed to go back to the 8th century and a Christian community of Culdees who came to Scotland from Ireland. Although shrouded in the mists of time, it is possible Kenneth McAlpin (the first King of Scots) brought the Stone of Destiny to Scone from Iona in 841.

A priory (later an abbey) was established at the site which also became a royal residence, center of monarchal power and de facto capital.

Altogether 42 Scottish kings were crowned in Scone including Kenneth MacAlpin, Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II. Legend has it that Moot Hill (or Boot Hill) was formed by Scottish lords bringing earth from their own lands in their boots. It represented the continuity of Scottish kingship and the authority of the monarchy over all Scottish lands.

Stone of Destiny

It was here in Scone that Scottish kings were traditionally crowned on the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, until it was taken to England in 1296 by Edward I.

Centuries later the stone was stolen by four Scottish students from Westminster Abbey as a statement of Scottish nationalism in 1950. It reappeared on the altar of Arbroath Abbey in Arbroath in 1951 before being taken back to London. Eventually Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister John Major agreed to return the iconic stone permanently to Scotland in 1996.

The stone was kept in Edinburgh Castle from 1996. It is now the centerpiece of the renovated Perth Museum, the first time it has returned to Perthshire in over 700 years. The stone is still used for the coronation of monarchs, most recently King Charles III in 2023.

The current palace was first constructed in the late 16th century and has been the ancestral home of the Earls of Mansfield since the 18th century. The modern Gothic Revival palace dates from 1807 and is the work of English architect William Atkinson. The 1st Earl of Mansfield also owned Kenwood House in London but preferred Scone as a residence.

The palace is still inhabited by the Earl of Mansfield and his family, but certain rooms are open to the public (no photography is permitted inside). The impressive architecture is a mixture of Gothic, Tudor, and Georgian styles.

The rooms open to the public include the State Rooms and the Long Gallery. They are the height of opulence with armor, ceramics, clocks, furniture, ivories, paintings, porcelain and even a stuffed bear on display.

Some pieces of particular historic interest include a desk used by Marie Antoinette, bed hangings made by Mary Queen of Scots while a prisoner at on Loch Leven and a bedroom used by Queen Victoria in 1842.

The Archway of Scone. — The Archway of Scone is all that remains of the former Augustinian Abbey on the site

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Scone Palace Chapel. — Scone Palace Chapel

Gardens

The palace is surrounded by 100 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, including the Pinetum, the Murray Star Maze, and the Walled & Kitchen Garden.

The 4th Earl of Mansfield established the Pinetum which is home to several rare species, including Hemlocks, Noble Firs and Sequoias. The Maze opened in 1991 and consists of copper and green beech. It is designed to resemble the Earl of Mansfield's family tartan. The Walled & Kitchen Garden provides herbs and vegetables for the palace's cafe.

Look out for the peacocks who have free range of the gardens.

Coat of arms on the Archway of Scone. — Coat of arms on the Archway of Scone, loving restored in 2012 after a traffic accident destroyed the arch in 2010

A replica of the Stone of Destiny. — A replica of the Stone of Destiny

Gift Shop and Cafe

The building includes a pleasant cafe and gift shop. Enjoy a scone in Scone at the Old Servants' Hall Coffee Shop.

Inside Scone Palace Chapel. — Monument to 1st Lord Scone at Scone Chapel

The lovely grounds of the palace. — The lovely grounds of the palace

Access & Hours

Perth PH2 6BD, Scotland
Tel: 01738 552 300
www: scone-palace.co.uk

The palace is open 7 days a week during the summer season, usually from the end of March to the end of October.

Presently (2024) admission to the palace and gardens costs £17.50; gardens only £11.

The nearest railway station to the palace is Perth Station, around an hour away on foot, if you feel like walking. There are buses to the palace from Perth. Take either Stagecoach number 3 from South Street or Stagecoach Strathtay number 58 from Perth Bus Station or South Street.

Perth Station is on both the Glasgow to Dundee line and the Highland Main Line.

There are trains to and from Glasgow Queen Street, Dundee Station, Edinburgh Waverley Station and Haymarket Station in Edinburgh, Arbroath, Dundee and Inverness.

If you wish to stay in Perth try the Holiday Inn Express Perth, at 200 Dunkeld Rd, Perth. Also recommended is the 3-star Mercure Perth Hotel at West Mill Street.

In addition, other options include the Lovat Hotel, also with 3 stars at 90 Glasgow Road and the Royal George Hotel near the River Tay.

Perth & Scone Attractions

In addition to the palace other attractions in and around Scone and Perth include the renovated Perth Museum with the Stone of Destiny as its major exhibit and The Black Watch Castle & Museum.

The Black Watch Museum housed in Balhousie Castle charts the history of Scotland's oldest Highland Regiment, the Black Watch, established in 1739. On display are flags, photographs, portraits, uniforms, weapons, and other memorabilia of this historic Scottish regiment.