Five reasons why Scone Palace is a must-visit for history buffs of all ages
One of Scotland's most iconic and historic sites is inviting families to step into centuries of royal tradition and political intrigue with a special ' Kids Go Free' offer running throughout summer.
Located near Perth, Scone Palace is steeped in Scottish history, known not only for its Gothic Revival architecture and beautiful gardens, but for its enduring role in the story of the nation.
The ancestral home of the Earls of Mansfield, the palace remains a living monument to Scotland's royal past. And their Kids Go Free offer runs until August 15.
At the heart of its legend is the Stone of Destiny. For centuries, this sacred coronation stone was housed at Scone, used in the crowning of Scottish monarchs.
The site became a symbol of kingship, where rulers were not just enthroned but legitimised by the ancient traditions of the land.
The hill upon which these coronations took place is Moot Hill, often referred to as the 'Hill of Belief'. It remains one of the most significant features of the estate.
Visitors can stand atop the hill and pose with a replica of the Stone of Destiny, a rite of passage for future kings and queens in the making.
Beyond its royal legacy, Scone also played a powerful political and religious role in medieval Scotland. In 1114, King Alexander I founded an Augustinian priory next to Moot Hill, which was elevated to abbey status in 1169.
During this period, it became a centre of both pilgrimage and influence. Notably, in 1249, the young Alexander III was crowned at Scone, the first Scottish king to be anointed, not just enthroned.
A papal bull in 1329 later granted David II the right to be anointed with sacred oil at his coronation, cementing the site's religious importance.
In the turbulent years that followed, Scone remained central to Scottish power. James I, who became king while still a hostage in London, returned to Scotland in 1424 and held his first Act of Parliament at Scone, a decree banning football in favour of archery.
His son, James II, later banned golf for the same reason, on pain of a four-pence fine. James IV, one of the last Scottish kings crowned at Scone, marked the shift of royal power to Edinburgh, with the construction of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Reformation brought destruction to Scone Abbey in 1559, when a mob from Dundee burned it down. Though John Knox intervened, the damage was done.
The Ruthven family later rebuilt the abbey palace, but their ownership ended in 1600 following a controversial incident involving James VI. The estate was then granted to Sir David Murray of Gospetrie, whose descendants became the Earls of Mansfield.
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The current palace was built by the 3rd Earl of Mansfield in 1803, transforming the medieval house into a striking Gothic Revival residence.
Since then, Scone Palace has welcomed numerous royal guests, including Queen Victoria in 1842, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Emperor of Japan, showing that its legacy still lives on.
Today, the Mansfield family still resides at Scone, preserving the estate and opening its doors to the public as a vital link to Scotland's past.
As well as exploring its regal interiors and grand gardens, visitors walk the same paths once trodden by kings, queens, nobles and revolutionaries.
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