Scone Palace — Attraction in Scotland

We were on the way back south and had some extra time. This place looked interesting, has an important place in history and some grounds for some small walks.

There was a bit of a line to get in, but was moving fast. Carpark is close to the palace and included in your entrance fee (for the grounds only or the combo with the palace). At the time we visited there was a happening going on. Some fitness celebrity meeting kids and parents. Along with a "Mini" promotion. A long line for both of that...but no bother for us. No line for the palace, which we were interested in.

It is worth going inside. The history of the Scone Palace is long and colourful. As the centre of the Scottish realm, Scone became the focus of struggles for power. Macbeth and his mortal enemy, Malcolm, whose father had been killed by MacBeth’s forces, both ruled here in the 11th century. I'm very much hooked on the history of Scotland, especially the history of Robert The Bruce. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was dramatically crowned here with the blood of his rival, Red Comyn, whom he had killed in a church, still fresh on his hands.

There's too much to tell about Scones history here. Best to read it or come visit. In 1803, the 3rd Earl of Mansfield began rebuilding the medieval house as a gothic palace. The Mansfield family continue to live here today, preserving the Palace of Scone and its surrounding estate as a unique living testament to Scotland’s heritage.

It has very interesting rooms and exhibits and helpful staff with more information. Really worth a visit.

The grounds are wonderful. There are busier areas like the Stone of Scone and the chapel. And then the small but tricky Murray Star Maze (big fun).

If you head south from the maze, you will find a nice little trail that makes a circle (across the street) back to the palace. Pretty, easy and very empty and quiet. We - and our Bulldog - loved it.

Souvenir shops, restaurant, toilets. All on the grounds as well.

All in all a very nice visit. Perfect to learn more about Scotlands history and to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet on...

First of all, they let us in with a ticket purchased online, but not used on a date we were supposed to be there with a smile and kindness. Then we had a fantastic time visiting Scone Palace— it truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and at ease. The grounds are absolutely stunning, and there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. For families with children, the activity sheets were a great touch — fun, educational, and a perfect way to keep young minds engaged as we explored the estate. The maze was a huge hit, and wandering through the beautiful Pinetum was both peaceful and fascinating. The kids were absolutely thrilled by the roaming peacocks, especially the spectacular white one named Alexander— a real highlight!

The staff were exceptional throughout the visit, particularly in the café. We were treated with warmth and genuine hospitality. A special mention goes to Jacqueline, who went out of her way to make us feel welcome and looked after. The food was delicious — fresh, well-prepared, and full of flavour. Honestly, it’s worth the visit for the café alone! That brings us to one important suggestion: Scone Palace should offer tickets specifically for those who just want to enjoy the café. It would be a perfect lunch stop even for locals or travellers passing by.

All in all, Scone Palace offers a delightful combination of nature, history, and family-friendly fun. We’re already looking forward...

The grounds are quite nice, not pristine Botanic garden style more like a woodland walk with a maze. Ordinary flat shoes, not heels, should suffice although some folk were decked out like like Indiana Jones!

The Pinetum has some splendid examples of trees from around the world brought back by Scots colonialists mostly in the 18th & 19th centuries. Some, not all, have plaques informing the paying visitors what type of tree they are. The kitchen garden, a walled one, was closed which I found out after I'd paid my entrance fee!

There is a small play area for children and a closed chapel to look at. A small cafe was open in the palace but they stop hot food at 3pm so if you want something warm go at least 30mins before they stop serving hot snacks! The cream scone I had was served with plastic sachets of jam and cream. It was a tad stale and dry but perfectly edible with a cup of tea/coffee to go with it.

Overall, it's a pleasant woodland amble for a stretched out 60mins. My 'but' is that at £20 for two it's expensive to pay that much for just a walk. There are many other free woodland walks with cafes nearby in Perth, and the surrounding countryside, to visit.

The choice, as they...