Scone was once a Celtic capital of the Picts, then of the first king of Scotland Kenneth McAlpin (844). It was McAlpin who brought the famous Stone of Destiny to Scone Abbey upon which the Scottish kings were crowned (eg. Macbeth and Robert Bruce) Edward I seized the stone and took it with him to London to prevent further coronations in Scotland. A copy of the Stone was placed back while the original was recently (1996) returned to Scotland but is kept in Edinburgh Castle. The abbey was destroyed during the Reformation (1560s). Scone Palace was built on the site of the abbey. Scone Palace built on the site of Scone Abbey was given to the Earls of Mansfield by James I (VI of Scotland!) It has been owned by the same family ever since. The present Gothic look of the palace dates back to reconstruction in 1808.

Bottom right: Stone of Destiny.

 

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Scone Palace

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