Scone, Scotland

Scone, in Perthshire, is famous for the former Abbey and original Palace which stood 2 miles west of New Scone, a little to the West of the Perth on the Blairgowrie road, and between Old Scone and the River Tay. It was destroyed in 1559 by a mob from Perth, who had been fired by John Knox’s oratory. The mote-hill of Scone was known already in the 8th century, and the celebrated Stone of Scone, traditionally identified with Jacob’s pillow at Bethel, and later the Stone of Destiny at Tara in Ireland, was brought here about a century later, to be carried away to England by Edward I in 1297. It was later placed under the seat of the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey, from which it was sensationally taken in December 1950. Early in 1951, the Stone found a temporary resting place in the Abbey at Arbroath, before apparently being returned to England.

All the early Scottish Kings were crowned at Scone until the time of James I. The last King to be crowned here was Charles II, in 1651. The Old Pretender kept court in Scone Palace, in 1716, and 29 years later Prince Charles Edward slept there. The present early 19th century Palace on the old site replaces the rebuilt 16th cent, house. In the park are preserved the old Cross of Scone and also a group of Sacred Stones. South-east of New Scone is Bonhard House, with a well-restored doocot of 1701.

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