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Scone Palace was a surprising stop. My husband and I were driving through Perth and saw it on the map. We didn't expect it to be so well-maintained and beautiful. The house and grounds were immaculately managed. We had a grand time exploring the grounds, where their forest was in full bloom with flowers of all colors. The trees were gigantic. I've never seen so many species in one place. The cemetery was most intriguing. Some headstones were so ancient that they don't even have dates on them. Of course, it's neat to learn about the Stone of Scone. They have peacocks walking around everywhere, and it's fun to watch them. We had lunch here and it was impressive, compared to what I'm used to in the States. Their kitchen proudly offers fresh food made with local ingredients. My carrot and coriander soup was delicious, and so was my husband's Dunkeld smoked salmon salad. I highly recommend visiting Scone Palace!
We got a discounted family ticket from itison and headed off to do something a bit different. It took us just over an hour to get from Carluke to Scone and it was clearly sign posted from Perth - thank goodness. Nothing sets the tone from a horrible family day trip quite like Mummy and Daddy having a minor domestic about map reading! We arrived just in time for lunch and headed straight to the Servants Hall coffee shop - no illusions of grandeur for us, we know where we belong! There were plenty of good homemade sandwiches, baked potatoes, cakes and biscuits to choose from, for fair prices and the service was brilliantly friendly with lots of smiles - hooray! With full tummies we headed off into the Palace. Smudge was given a treasure hunt sheet with lots of things to look for. Perfect, as this meant that both her and g were entertained so I could read all the things and talk to the tour guides to find out even more - history geek and proud! The amount of ivory on display in the dining room is by modern standards grotesque. The lovely tour guide was quick to point out that none of the pieces were created after the 17 century but I am afraid I cannot see past the slaughter to appreciate the craftsmanship of the carving. That said even mounted animal heads make me uncomfortable, I may be a bit of a wimp. The palace is in spectacularly good condition and a real glimpse into the opulence that the upper class enjoyed - still enjoy. It is still a family home and used to entertain. Whilst I enjoyed wandering around Scone Palace the grounds were my favourite part. Moot hill where Lords swore allegiance to the Kings, where Kings were crowned on the Stone of Scone and where the bell rang to proclaim new laws. The tartan maze where we might still be wandering were it not for g standing on the platform and directing us out. The pinetum, especially the photos of the family in the 19th century and again in the 21st century. It was brilliant to look at the changes, not just in the height of the trees but the dress and formality of the family. We also learned that peacocks can fly. I never actually realised this until one flew over our heads causing me to squeal and providing smudge with the highlight of her trip to Scone! This was a brilliant day out. All the staff were so friendly and genuinely passionate about what they were doing. The palace and grounds were beautifully preserved and looked after. A special place, partially because of the history but also because of the brilliant way that it is being preserved.
No, not a posh tea room...... it's actually pronounced 'Scoon', but it took me several weeks to figure this one out! Scone Palace is a is a Category A listed historic house at Scone, approx 5 mins drive from Perth. It was constructed in 1808 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson. Built of red sandstone with a castellated roof, it is a classic example of the late Georgian Gothic style and is truly beautiful. I have not been inside the palace, but have heard good reports. We visited the gardens only, which are very varied....play area, church, donkeys, chickens, pinetum, maze. There is a small shop selling gifts and a tea room also. The cost was £4.00pp for the gardens and £7.00pp for the palace and gardens. However, a season pass was only £15.00pp I think. Beware of the confident peacocks wandering around!
Scone Palace is just an hours drive North of Edinburgh and can be easiest reached by car. The estate lies outside of Perth and personally I would avoid public transport to get there, however, it does not mean you can't. The Scone Palace Estate is massive and once a year it hosts the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's Scottish Game Fair (in July). There is lots going on and folks come from far and local to see the animals and planned shows for children and adults alike. This year I visited just before the show and watched the tents being erected. People working away whilst I could explore the Estate. The driveway up to the Palace takes a while and you can watch the beautiful scenery and wild animals until you finally reach the car park. One side was reserved for buses and the other for cars. Must confess that I did not think the car park was particularly large, but on that day it was ok to easily get a car park. At the kiosk I paid an entrance fee of £10.00 and was given a small map that explained all the different walk ways through the Estate. First and foremost I was interested in the Stone of Scone and its exact location on which all the Kings and "Queens" were crowned - at least until Charles II. Of course, I was particularly interested in the place because Robert de Bruce was crowned there at Moot Hill (on which the replica Stone of Scone rests), even the Stone of Scone had already been transported to England by then (by King Edward I). And luckily a MacDuff was available to crown the future King of Scots. Strictly speaking it was Isabella MacDuff (as her husband refused to). Nowadays, looking from Moot Hill you can view Scone Palace in all its prowess. The palace is massive and build of Sandstone in 1808. There are several entrances to the palace, of which the smaller entrances are to the restaurant, gift shop and coffee shop down in the cellars (or lower floors). I enjoyed a quick stop over in the restaurant and browsing the gift shop before heading back to Edinburgh. I was even able to enjoy a bit of sunshine outside, sitting at one of the tables, before it started raining. Inside it was cozy and warm and the food surprisingly good. Certainly its a bit overpriced for what you get, but its definitely worth the experience and the surroundings. I was able to also explore the insight of the Palace and noticed that everything is very much in tact. The Earl of Mansfield, I assume, still lives there occasionally. The rooms are massive, high ceilings, embroidery on walls, costly paintings, family photographs spread around the property, elegant furnishing and visitor advisers in every room. They will guide you in the right direction or will inform you of the rooms history or answer any question you might have. Everything you see and experience oozes wealth and aristocratic background. Before the Palace there stood Scone Abbey and its significance goes even further back than the middle ages. The place was a gathering point for the Picts and later an important Christian site. After the Palace exploration and the tale of "Belle" (illegitimate daughter of one of the Earls) I decided to stroll around the Woodlands and admire the astonishing view of various trees in the Arboretum until I reached the most amazing and largest Maze ever. You should try it too. Its takes a while to get to the centre, but its totally worth it :-) I only had half a day, but if you have children you can easily spend a full day there. So much to see and do. I even was able to get close to a Highland Cow (behind a fence) and watched Peacocks roaming the greens. Enjoy!
3 years ago
We were on the way back south and had some extra time. This place looked interesting, has an important place in history and some grounds for some small walks. There was a bit of a line to get in, but was moving fast. Carpark is close to the palace and included in your entrance fee (for the grounds only or the combo with the palace). At the time we visited there was a happening going on. Some fitness celebrity meeting kids and parents. Along with a "Mini" promotion. A long line for both of that...but no bother for us. No line for the palace, which we were interested in. It is worth going inside. The history of the Scone Palace is long and colourful. As the centre of the Scottish realm, Scone became the focus of struggles for power. Macbeth and his mortal enemy, Malcolm, whose father had been killed by MacBeth's forces, both ruled here in the 11th century. I'm very much hooked on the history of Scotland, especially the history of Robert The Bruce. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was dramatically crowned here with the blood of his rival, Red Comyn, whom he had killed in a church, still fresh on his hands. There's too much to tell about Scones history here. Best to read it or come visit. In 1803, the 3rd Earl of Mansfield began rebuilding the medieval house as a gothic palace. The Mansfield family continue to live here today, preserving the Palace of Scone and its surrounding estate as a unique living testament to Scotland's heritage. It has very interesting rooms and exhibits and helpful staff with more information. Really worth a visit. The grounds are wonderful. There are busier areas like the Stone of Scone and the chapel. And then the small but tricky Murray Star Maze (big fun). If you head south from the maze, you will find a nice little trail that makes a circle (across the street) back to the palace. Pretty, easy and very empty and quiet. We - and our Bulldog - loved it. Souvenir shops, restaurant, toilets. All on the grounds as well. All in all a very nice visit. Perfect to learn more about Scotlands history and to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet on the grounds. read more
Scone Palace was my favorite castle in Scotland, and I saw a lot of castles. Constructed in the 12th century, it is famous as the place where they crowned the King of Scots. As we came in the Winter off-season we didn't have the opportunity to go inside since they weren't giving tours. Even with that fact, it was still so scenic and so magical that it was still worth the stop. I guess since it was free admission to just walk around that is okay too! After a hazy, rainy morning the skies opened up and a rainbow appeared over the castle. We couldn't believe our eyes the sight of this beauty. The photo I took doesn't even begin to do it justice. The grounds were pristine and we loved seeing the highland cattle with their long mops of hair covering their eyes. I would love to come back when I can actually see the interior as I'm sure it'd be beautiful as well. read more
Scone Palace was a surprising stop. My husband and I were driving through Perth and saw it on the map. We didn't expect it to be so well-maintained and beautiful. The house and grounds were immaculately managed. We had a grand time exploring the grounds, where their forest was in full bloom with flowers of all colors. The trees were gigantic. I've never seen so many species in one place. The cemetery was most intriguing. Some headstones were so ancient that they don't even have dates on them. Of course, it's neat to learn about the Stone of Scone. They have peacocks walking around everywhere, and it's fun to watch them. We had lunch here and it was impressive, compared to what I'm used to in the States. Their kitchen proudly offers fresh food made with local ingredients. My carrot and coriander soup was delicious, and so was my husband's Dunkeld smoked salmon salad. I highly recommend visiting Scone Palace! read more
We got a discounted family ticket from itison and headed off to do something a bit different. It took us just over an hour to get from Carluke to Scone and it was clearly sign posted from Perth - thank goodness. Nothing sets the tone from a horrible family day trip quite like Mummy and Daddy having a minor domestic about map reading! We arrived just in time for lunch and headed straight to the Servants Hall coffee shop - no illusions of grandeur for us, we know where we belong! There were plenty of good homemade sandwiches, baked potatoes, cakes and biscuits to choose from, for fair prices and the service was brilliantly friendly with lots of smiles - hooray! With full tummies we headed off into the Palace. Smudge was given a treasure hunt sheet with lots of things to look for. Perfect, as this meant that both her and g were entertained so I could read all the things and talk to the tour guides to find out even more - history geek and proud! The amount of ivory on display in the dining room is by modern standards grotesque. The lovely tour guide was quick to point out that none of the pieces were created after the 17 century but I am afraid I cannot see past the slaughter to appreciate the craftsmanship of the carving. That said even mounted animal heads make me uncomfortable, I may be a bit of a wimp. The palace is in spectacularly good condition and a real glimpse into the opulence that the upper class enjoyed - still enjoy. It is still a family home and used to entertain. Whilst I enjoyed wandering around Scone Palace the grounds were my favourite part. Moot hill where Lords swore allegiance to the Kings, where Kings were crowned on the Stone of Scone and where the bell rang to proclaim new laws. The tartan maze where we might still be wandering were it not for g standing on the platform and directing us out. The pinetum, especially the photos of the family in the 19th century and again in the 21st century. It was brilliant to look at the changes, not just in the height of the trees but the dress and formality of the family. We also learned that peacocks can fly. I never actually realised this until one flew over our heads causing me to squeal and providing smudge with the highlight of her trip to Scone! This was a brilliant day out. All the staff were so friendly and genuinely passionate about what they were doing. The palace and grounds were beautifully preserved and looked after. A special place, partially because of the history but also because of the brilliant way that it is being preserved. read more
19 years ago
No, not a posh tea room...... it's actually pronounced 'Scoon', but it took me several weeks to figure this one out! Scone Palace is a is a Category A listed historic house at Scone, approx 5 mins drive from Perth. It was constructed in 1808 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson. Built of red sandstone with a castellated roof, it is a classic example of the late Georgian Gothic style and is truly beautiful. I have not been inside the palace, but have heard good reports. We visited the gardens only, which are very varied....play area, church, donkeys, chickens, pinetum, maze. There is a small shop selling gifts and a tea room also. The cost was £4.00pp for the gardens and £7.00pp for the palace and gardens. However, a season pass was only £15.00pp I think. Beware of the confident peacocks wandering around! read more
Scone Palace is just an hours drive North of Edinburgh and can be easiest reached by car. The estate lies outside of Perth and personally I would avoid public transport to get there, however, it does not mean you can't. The Scone Palace Estate is massive and once a year it hosts the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's Scottish Game Fair (in July). There is lots going on and folks come from far and local to see the animals and planned shows for children and adults alike. This year I visited just before the show and watched the tents being erected. People working away whilst I could explore the Estate. The driveway up to the Palace takes a while and you can watch the beautiful scenery and wild animals until you finally reach the car park. One side was reserved for buses and the other for cars. Must confess that I did not think the car park was particularly large, but on that day it was ok to easily get a car park. At the kiosk I paid an entrance fee of £10.00 and was given a small map that explained all the different walk ways through the Estate. First and foremost I was interested in the Stone of Scone and its exact location on which all the Kings and "Queens" were crowned - at least until Charles II. Of course, I was particularly interested in the place because Robert de Bruce was crowned there at Moot Hill (on which the replica Stone of Scone rests), even the Stone of Scone had already been transported to England by then (by King Edward I). And luckily a MacDuff was available to crown the future King of Scots. Strictly speaking it was Isabella MacDuff (as her husband refused to). Nowadays, looking from Moot Hill you can view Scone Palace in all its prowess. The palace is massive and build of Sandstone in 1808. There are several entrances to the palace, of which the smaller entrances are to the restaurant, gift shop and coffee shop down in the cellars (or lower floors). I enjoyed a quick stop over in the restaurant and browsing the gift shop before heading back to Edinburgh. I was even able to enjoy a bit of sunshine outside, sitting at one of the tables, before it started raining. Inside it was cozy and warm and the food surprisingly good. Certainly its a bit overpriced for what you get, but its definitely worth the experience and the surroundings. I was able to also explore the insight of the Palace and noticed that everything is very much in tact. The Earl of Mansfield, I assume, still lives there occasionally. The rooms are massive, high ceilings, embroidery on walls, costly paintings, family photographs spread around the property, elegant furnishing and visitor advisers in every room. They will guide you in the right direction or will inform you of the rooms history or answer any question you might have. Everything you see and experience oozes wealth and aristocratic background. Before the Palace there stood Scone Abbey and its significance goes even further back than the middle ages. The place was a gathering point for the Picts and later an important Christian site. After the Palace exploration and the tale of "Belle" (illegitimate daughter of one of the Earls) I decided to stroll around the Woodlands and admire the astonishing view of various trees in the Arboretum until I reached the most amazing and largest Maze ever. You should try it too. Its takes a while to get to the centre, but its totally worth it :-) I only had half a day, but if you have children you can easily spend a full day there. So much to see and do. I even was able to get close to a Highland Cow (behind a fence) and watched Peacocks roaming the greens. Enjoy! read more
10 years ago
Had a wonderful time touring the palace, which is still a family home. The grounds are impressive, and of course we had to taste a scone. read more
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