Scone Palace is a must-see Scottish castle for anyone wishing to discover the history and beauty of Scotland. Situated in the heart of the country, it is a national treasure not only for its architecture, but also for its immense collection of objects and works of art, spanning centuries of history. A must-see for lovers of Scottish castles!
Situated in the heart of the Scottish countryside, in Scone near Perth, Scone Palace is one of the region’s finest historic castles.
Built in 1699, the building was once the residence of the kings of Scotland. It was here that the Scottish kings were crowned. On this occasion, they would sit on the Stone of Scone, a kind of stone bench on which future monarchs would sit during their coronation.
This bench has been used for the coronation of almost every Scottish and English king since the 9th century. However, in 1296, King Edward I of England took the Coronation Stone from Scone Abbey and placed it in Westminster Abbey.
Later, in 1950, the stone was brought back to Scotland and placed again within Scone Palace, in the altar of the local chapel.
Today, the castle is in remarkable condition and is open to the public. It stands alone as a true piece of Scottish history.
Scone Palace is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most popular castles. Open to visitors, the palace is sumptuous, imposing and magisterial. Among its treasures are impressive galleries and grand halls, filled with historic artifacts and works of art, all referencing Scottish history.
Cowan Hall boasts a large collection of period furniture, including chairs, tables and chests, many of which are very old. Magnificent, they possess incredible charm and patina!
Among other things, you’ll be able to admire :
Visitors can also discover an astonishing array of decorative furniture, including a finely carved armoire that is also said to date back several centuries!
Beyond the furniture, Scone Palace also boasts a large collection of paintings and portraits, including works by famous Scottish artists.
There’s also a large collection of fascinating objects and works of art, including a wooden sculpture of Buddha and a large, ornate Persian carpet. There is also an astonishing painting of a garden by the famous artist Pieter de Hooch.
The King’s Gallery boasts a large collection of weapons, armour and other objects, including a sword that once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. There’s also an astonishing collection of Chinese ceramics, tapestries and rare coins.
The palace also boasts an old library of centuries-old books and manuscripts, some dating back to the Middle Ages! These include a 15th-century treatise on astronomy and a handwritten copy of the Bible!
There’s also a book on the Russian language and a book written in Greek. There’s also a collection of old Scottish manuscripts, including a book believed to be the oldest surviving Scottish manuscript.
The palace also boasts several interesting gardens, including a magnificent herb garden, where visitors can pick fresh herbs to use in their cooking.
The gardens are a haven of peace, with colorful flowerbeds, lush lawns and well-tended shrubs.
The gardens are particularly beautiful in spring, when they are filled with colorful, fragrant flowers.
There’s also a spectacular rose garden, brimming with colorful roses of all shapes, sizes and hues. The palace boasts a large, magnificent formal garden, with beautifully manicured lawns, colorful flowerbeds, fragrant shrubs and a large pond.
There’s also a beautiful arboretum, with exotic trees and plants from all over the world.Scone Palace is a superb Scottish castle near Perth. Open to visitors, it was the coronation palace of the kings of Scotland!Scone Palace is a superb Scottish castle near Perth. Open to visitors, it was the coronation palace of the kings of Scotland!