Scone Palace and Estate SGLH visit Saturday 18th May 2019

SGLH members and guests enjoyed a guided walk around Scone Palace grounds led by head gardener Brian Cunningham.

The walk started on the terraced garden to the Palace which overlooked the River Tay and estate policies planted up with parkland trees including Copper beech and lime.  We walked to the estates reinstated Kitchen garden and walled garden via. the east drive, passing through the restored 16th century East gate which was historically the grand entrance to ‘the city of Scone’ where we admired the historic Mercat cross and onto the Pinetum.  A Pinetum is a collection of evergreen trees. The Pinetum at Scone is recognised for it’s national important collection, which includes amongst others, giant redwoods and Noble Firs which tower over visitors.  Our guided walk included the Murray Star maze conceived in 1991 in the shape of a five pointed-star.  The hedges are a combination of Copper and Common beech, over 2000 trees in total.  The guided walk was slightly compromised by the drizzle.  However, any dampened spirts were raised by an afternoon tea of what else but tea and scones.  J.C. Loudon prepared designs for the estate which are on display together with an illustration of Scone Palace.