 Scone Palace
Set in lovely parkland pastures overlooking the most famous salmon river
in the world, surely there can be no place in Scottish history more
steeped in legend and ancient rituals than here at Scone Palace, where the
fabled 'Stone of Scone' has been the crowning place of Scottish monarchs
for centuries. Well over 1,000 years ago the 'stone of destiny' mysteriously
arrived in Scotland and to this day it remains uncertain where the real
stone originated from or, indeed, whether it still exists.
Reputedly, this treasured stone was brought to Scone by Kenneth MacAlpin, after his treacherous slaughtering of the Picts to gain the Kingdom of Scotland.
The stone was subsequently taken from Scone Abbey to Westminster Abbey
in 1296 by King Edward I, and was not returned to Scotland for 700 years.
A replica of that great stone now stands on the Moot Hill in front of
the tiny medieval chapel, denoting the coronation spot up until 1651,
when Charles II became the last King to be crowned by the Scots on New
Year's Day.
Following the destruction
of the abbey by an angry mob in 1559, the present Scone Palace was erected
on those same religious foundations towards the end of the 16th century.
The estate was granted to Sir David Murray in 1604 as a Royal reward,
and he was created Lord Scone and later Viscount Stormont. William
Murray, son of the 5th Viscount Stormont was created the
first Earl of Mansfield in 1776, but it is due to the 3rd
Earl that Scone Palace takes on its early 19th century appearance.
He commissioned William Atkinson, a pupil of the noted architect James
Wyatt, to enlarge and remodel the old house giving it a fresh look and
splendid interiors.
Externally, Scone Palace
represents the sober Gothic style typical of Wyatt's early work, the
beautiful red sandstone having been softened with age and the Russian
Ivy that is gradually spreading across its walls. Although remarkably
restrained, the cool clean lines of the elegant rooms have been richly
enhanced by period furniture, collections of fabulous artworks including
some exquisite ivory figurines, and unrivalled displays of rare porcelain.
Still very much a cherished family seat in the midst of a thriving estate,
Scone Palace is currently home to the 3rd Earl and Countess
of Mansfield who continue to add to the wonderful collections, reflecting
their personal contributions to the family's inheritance.
Formerly the capital of the
Pictish Kingdom, the site of an old religious foundation, the scene of
the Kings of Scots' inauguration, the meeting place of the first recorded
Scottish Parliaments, and the ancestral home to the Murray family for
almost 400 years, Scone Palace cannot fail to impress. Whilst walking
through the grounds to enjoy the sense of tranquillity emanating from
the fragmentary remains of Scone Abbey, it is easy to become engrossed in
the intense, often turbulent, history surrounding this central monument
of Scotland. |
