1. Presented by Fadeeva E.G. Lyceum 26, Podolsk, 2012

2. Scone Palace is set in 100 acres of glorious Perthshire countryside about two miles north of Perth. Geographically it is at the centre of Scotland. Poised above the River Tay, the Palace overlooks the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast. The Grampian mountains form a distant backdrop, and across the river stands the city of Perth.

3. Scone is a name that has a deep resonance for anyone with any interest in Scottish history. Scone Palace breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland. Once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone - also known as the Stone of Destiny, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in the crown of Scotland.

4. Around 840AD Kenneth I, the 36th King of Dalriada united the Scots and Pictish kingdoms and moved his capital from western Scotland to Scone. The Stone of Destiny was moved there too. All future Scottish kings would henceforth be enthroned on the Stone of Destiny atop Moot Hill at Scone Palace.

5. Scone became the capital of a Pictish Kingdom and a religious centre of the ancient Celtic church, the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of forty-two Scottish monarchs including Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II. It was immortalised in Shakespeare's Macbeth: "So, thanks to all at once, and to each one, Whom we invite to see us crownd at Scone.".

6. In 1296, the English monarch, Edward I (infamous as the "hammer of the Scots) invaded Scotland and stripped Scotland of all emblems of nationhood. Among the booty that Edward's army removed was the legendary Stone, which the English king apparently regarded as an important symbol of Scottish sovereignty.

7. Today it is the home of the Earls of Mansfield and a major attraction to visitors from all over the world. The building you see today was built in the years from 1803 and 9 years later by the 3rd Earl of Mansfield and has been largely unaltered since its completion. Present-day Scone Palace, although only 200 years old, stands on the site of the medieval abbey and palace where Scotlands kings were crowned for centuries.

8. Scone Palace is a unique treasury of furniture, porcelain, painting and objects d'art. From furniture to clocks, from porcelain to ivories, Scone Palace houses some of the very finest private collections on display in Great Britain.

9. The sumptuous interiors include the State Rooms where Queen Victoria was entertained on her way to the Highlands in 1842, the Dining Room, the opulent Drawing Room, the Long Gallery with an impressive organ, Queen Victoria's Suite, the magnificent Library.

10. Beyond the palace itself, the most obvious feature is the chapel. It is located immediately in front of the Palace on what is known as the Moot Hill. The building you see today largely dates back to 1807, when an earlier chapel built on the site in 1604 was remodelled. The Chapel serves as a mausoleum for the Murrays, the family of the Earls of Mansfield.

11. The Moot Hill was the ancient Crowning Place of the Kings of Scots. The land was symbolised by the combined earth, carried in the boots of the vassals, making the Moot Hill into a primordial hill. The mound has been known by many names: Moot Hill, Omnis Terra (every mans land) and Boot Hill. Another name is the Hill of Credulity (or Hill of Belief).

12. The stone block with two rings on two uprights, forming a stone bench is a replica of the Stone of Destiny of Scone, one of the emblems of Scottish nationhood. Its presence here is the key to unlocking the story of Scone and explaining why this place is so important to the history of Scotland.

13. Not far away from the chapel is what is described as the Archway to the city of Scone. Beyond the Archway stands the mercat cross of Old Scone. Nearby is Scones ancient burial ground. The archway and the mercat cross are all that survive of the village of Old Scone.

14. The unique 'tartan' maze is made of 2000 beech trees half green, half copper. It was designed by the world famous designer Adrian Fisher. The maze was planted in the shape of the heraldic Murray Star. There is a fountain in the centre of it.

15. David Douglas was born at Scone and worked as an under-gardener here before gaining fame as a plant explorer and collector for the Royal Horticultural Society. A very special Douglas Fir was raised from the original seed sent home by David Douglas from America in 1826.

16. A visit to Scone Palace is incomplete without spending some time in the Palace grounds. They are as splendid as the Palace itself. Beautiful gardens and peaceful woodland are perfect for a gentle stroll or even a picnic - all under the watchful eye of the ever curious peacocks.

19. Its not only history at Scone. The ever-popular Scottish Game Fair, Scotlands biggest countryside event, is held in Scone Palace Parklands every year in early July.

20. This fair entertains all the family with a variety of displays including living history performances, archery, pipe bands, dancing displays, falconry and terrier racing in the main ring, clay pigeon shooting, gundog and fishing competitions on the banks of the River Tay.

22. Antiques in historic houses are always a winner, and Galloway Antiques Fairs visit big houses across the country throughout the year. In November, it's the turn of Scone Palace. Over three days, visitors can wander stands supplied by established and authenticated antique and art dealers, hunt for bargains or just beautiful objets d'art. The criteria for what's on show includes at least century-old furniture, barometers, clocks and "treen" (wooden, non-jointed articles), paintings, silver, porcelain, glass, bronzes and lighting and, finally, jewellery.

23. With the current Earl of Mansfield a keen orchid collector, Scone Palace hosts its annual Orchid Festival every August. Including displays by top nurseries and suppliers from around the country, the festival complements the Earl's own collection, begun in 1971. It showcases spectacular displays of the newest and most exotic hybrids - as well as more traditional varieties - from some of the UKs most prestigious orchid nurseries including Chelsea Gold Medal winners.

24. Potfest returns to the Perth area for its 15th year in Scotland. So Scone Palace will have an amazing and colourful day out amongst some of the most creative makers in clay from around Europe. Potfest at the Palace will be held in 5 marquees on the lawns in front of Scone Palace and offer a great opportunity to meet the potters, get inspired and buy direct from makers.

25. …and try tasty scones. The origin of the name 'scone' is just as unclear as where it came from. Some say the name comes from where the Kings of Scotland were crowned, the Stone (Scone) of Destiny. Others believe the name is derived from the Dutch word "schoonbrood" ("schoon" meaning clean and "brood" meaning bread), or from the German word "schonbrot" meaning 'fine or beautiful bread'. Still others say it comes from the Gaelic 'sgonn' a shapeless mass or large mouthful.

26. There is so much to see and enjoy at Scone Palace - the history, the art and antiques, the superb landscape, architecture and fun for the children that one visit is never enough. There is no substitute for the real thing. Come and see for yourself!

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