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The House of Stewart comes to Scone Palace
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The story of Scone Palace’s connections to Scotland’s Royal House of Stewart will be brought to life on Monday 6 April, when the Palace hosts the first in a series of living history events developed jointly with Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and the Historic Houses Association.
Part of an initiative to encourage visitors to follow in their families’ footsteps during Homecoming Scotland 2009, costumed characters and storytellers will bring the stories of our Royal Families alive in a series of living history performances throughout the summer. Visitors will also be able to explore family trails linking Scotland’s finest heritage attractions.
On Monday 6 April, Scone Palace will host four performances called ‘A Stone, the Stewarts and Scone’. Sir Evan Macgregor Murray C.B, a hero of the Napoleonic Wars and close friend of Sir Walter Scott, attired in the full costume of a highland gentleman of 1822, will tell the story of important Stewart Kings and their associations with the Palace, the Murray family and the Stone of Destiny.
Robert II was crowned King of Scotland at Scone in 1371. A grandson of Robert the Bruce, he was the first Stewart King and reigned for 19 years. On his death in 1390, he was buried at Scone Abbey.
James VI succeeded his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, in 1567 when he was only one year old. In 1603, he became King James I of England when Elizabeth I died childless. Famous for commissioning the King James Bible, in 1600 James VI gifted Scone Palace to Sir David Murray as a reward for his support against an alleged conspiracy by the Gowries, the Palace’s previous owners.
Charles II was the last monarch to be crowned at Scone. He was crowned King of Scotland on 1 January 1651, at a time when England was under the control of Oliver Cromwell. Charles spent nine years in exile in France until 1660, when he assumed the throne of England following Cromwell’s death.
Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Young Pretender, stopped at Scone on his march south to London to claim the British throne for his father in 1745. Unfortunately, he only made it as far as Derby before he turned back to face defeat and subsequent exile back in France after the Battle of Culloden.
Performances will take place at 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, with Sir Evan interacting with the audience between shows.
In a special celebration of the Year of Homecoming, Stewarts young and old are being encouraged to come along in their clan tartan, with a prize being awarded for the ‘Best Dressed Stewart’ on the day!
Elspeth Bruce, Administrator at Scone Palace said, “This will be an unrivalled opportunity to find out more about one of Scotland’s most important Royal Houses, its connections with Scone Palace and the lives of some of our greatest monarchs and ‘pretenders’ “.
A further House of Stewart living history event will take place at Scone Palace on 22 July and living history events about the House of Bruce will take place at the Palace on 26 June and 7 August.
* Performances will last approximately 25 minutes and will take place at 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
* A grounds only admission price will apply - £4.80 adults, £4.20 concessions, £3.20 children. Admission to Palace and Grounds costs £8.50 adults, £7.30 concessions, £5.30 child, £24 Family.
* A further Stewart Family Trail living history event will take place at Scone Palace on Wednesday 22nd July.
* Bruce Family Trail living history events will take place at the Palace on Friday 26th June and Friday 7th August, when storytellers and costumed characters will tell the story of the Royal House of Bruce’s connections with Scone.
For further information contact the Palace on 01738 552300 or check online at www.scone-palace.co.uk
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