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Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Daily Record
Five reasons why Scone Palace is a must-visit for history buffs of all ages
Scone Palace is a historic Scottish site, offering free kids' entry from 30 June to 15 August 2025 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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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.
Ammon
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Russia invaded by Napoleon and his Grand Army
Ammon News - On this day in 1812, French Emperor Napoleon—who had massed his troops in Poland in the spring to intimidate Russian Tsar Alexander I—and 600,000 troops of his Grand Army launched an ill-fated invasion of Russia. Britannica
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Conflicts in history
So what would you equate the senseless charge of the Indians under the assumption that they will overwhelm the armed forces of Pakistan by sheer numbers and indiscriminate attacks, including civilian infrastructure. History is filled with such assumptions that in the end spelled disaster for the attacking forces mainly due to the bravery and better strategy of those attacked under this false assumption of superiority and many of them are recorded in history. The one that comes to my mind immediately is the battle of Waterloo, which is considered a watershed moment in the history of Europe, which ended Napoleon's military career and actually brought in an era of peace. One can only hope that the errors our neighbor committed under the false assumption that he can overcome a smaller country will also bring in an era of peace to the sub-continent so that the countries and the people of this area can reach their full potential and achieve progress and prosperity, which has evaded us for so long because of the irresponsible attitude of this belligerent neighbor. Well back to the battle of Waterloo. Napoleon was under the impression that the Russians would deploy their full army and engage in a conclusive battle. His adversaries did not oblige but instead drew Napoleon and his army deeper into the Russian territory. They did not just withdrew but destroyed crops and villages on the way depriving Napoleon and his army resources that were so vital for their survival. In spite of this Napoleon managed an inconclusive defeat on his enemies and seized Moscow, which was also destroyed by the withdrawing army. Napoleon waited in vain for his adversaries to surrender but in the meantime winter arrived which further slowed the army now faced with desertions and harassment by his enemies in the form of hit-and-run raids that kept increasing the losses of the Napoleonic army. After waiting in vain for Emperor Alexander I to surrender and unable to advance further Napoleon now fell back from Moscow. Winter had now fully set in. Snows slowed the French army, who suffered from starvation and desertion as the Russians harried their long retreat. This conflict was a watershed moment in European history that ended Napoleon's military career and also saved Europe from his constant ravages and bullying of smaller countries. This also proved that it is not just size that matters in a war but tactics, careful planning and well thought-out strategies to overcome the larger size of the enemy and his resources. Something in which our army also excelled and turned the tables in no unconvincing manner on this belligerent and irresponsible army who should have learnt from their own experience in 1965 when their dream to having drinks at Lahore Gymkhana before the day was out was turned into a disaster. In that famous encounter also Pathankot was turned into ashes and Chawinda became a graveyard for Indian tanks which news was flashed across all western media accepting the bravery of our armed forces. Another famous battle that comes to my mind in the background of recent Pakistan and India conflict is the Battle of Stalingrad which was a major turning point in World War II, this marked the first significant defeat for the German military and laid the foundation of the end of Third Reich proving that sometimes a war can forever change the course of history through the bravery, persistence and steadfastness of an army breaking the myth that the other party is invincible. The recent unprovoked attack by India and the befitting response by our armed forces will also go down in history as one of the most outstanding, surprising and resolute armed response by a victim of aggression and will serve as a warning to any large size aggressor that believes that size does matter. Everyone agrees that India was the loser in a big way. Not only did it lose on the war-front but also in terms of credibility before the world with specially its media being an even bigger loser, losing all credibility around the globe. I have lived through three wars with our neighbor all provoked by him and who refuses to accept the reality of Pakistan. Maybe this last encounter and its disastrous results for him will convince our unruly neighbor to adopt the pathway of peace as it licks its wounds from the latest encounter. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
