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Scone Palace is an historic house at Scone, near Perth. Scone is spoken as skoon. It was constructed in 1808 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson. It is built of red sandstone with a castellated roof. Scone Abbey, an Augustinian Abbey, once stood in the grounds in the Middle Ages. There is nothing above ground level to indicate the one time presence of the abbey.
The abbey was one of Scotland's major abbeys from 1114 to 1559. It was founded by Alexander I.Scone was once an ancient gathering place of the Picts. The place of coronation was called Caislean Credi. It means the Hill of Credulity, and survives as Moot Hill. The mound was marked by with a stone cross in the Middle Ages.
It's assumed that it disappeared at the Scottish Reformation in 1559. This was when the Abbey buildings were sacked by a mob from Dundee.The Stone of Destiny was a highly treasured symbol for Scotland, as the early Kings of Scotland were crowned upon the stone.
A tradition holds that Robert the Bruce gifted a portion of the stone to Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, in gratitude for Irish support at the battle of Bannockburn. After it was installed at McCarthy's stronghold, Blarney Castle, it became the Blarney Stone.Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306. The last coronation was of Charles II when he accepted the Scottish crown in 1651. The Stone of Scone is now in Edinburgh Castle. It was returned on St Andrews Day, 30th November 1996.
You may walk around the Palace grounds. The lawns are home to a number of peacocks. The unique Murray Star Maze was designed by international maze designer, Adrian Fisher. There is a children's play area, a picnic area, a coffee shop and restaurant. There are sheep, donkeys, and Highland Cattle in nearby fields.
Opening TimesApril to October, daily 9.30am. The last admission is at 5pm, except Saturdays when it's
4pm. The Grounds are open each Friday
between 10am and 4pm during the winter, November to April. The grounds close at 5.45pm.
Prices Palace - Adult £8.50 Child £5.30 Concessions £7.30 Family £24
Grounds Only - Adult £4.80 Child £3.20 Concessions £4.20
Scone PalaceScone Perth PH2 6BDTelephone - 01738 552300
E mail - visits@scone-palace.co.uk
Visit website.
Photograph Courtesy of Peter Hodge.
