Scone Palace £10m redevelopment to create 'world-class' visitor attraction

A major £10m Scone Palace development to create a “world-class visitor attraction” has been approved.

The plans – which have been ten years in the making – were presented to Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, November 5.

Applicant Viscount William Stormont told councillors the proposal would allow the historic venue to “continue to punch high” in “an increasingly competitive tourism market” where “visitor expectations have increased”.

The application was approved – but subject to conditions which include not allowing the proposed copper cladding finish to the stable building extensions and ensuring any door and window replacements on the B-listed stables area are on a “like-for-like basis unless otherwise agreed”.

Stormont Trading LP submitted an application to Perth and Kinross Council to transform the palace’s disused stable building into a visitor centre with a shop, restaurant and ticket office. The plans also included an adventure play park, a solar meadow with approximately 2,000 panels, a new car park, and new cycling and pedestrian links from Stormontfield Road.

For over 1,000 years, the Perthshire palace has held an important place in Scotland’s history, as the site of parliaments and coronations. Scottish monarchs, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce, were famously crowned at Moot Hill, where a replica of the Stone of Destiny now stands.

Addressing councillors gathered in Perth and Kinross Council’s chambers on Wednesday, Viscount Stormont said the proposals would “add weight to the local tourism offering, adding a second wave of interest to the return of the Stone of Destiny to the region, complementing Perth Museum’s offering”.

He added: “Next year is a special year, our 60th anniversary of opening to the public – a bold decision my great grandparents made and committed huge resources to.

“It is our hope that the stables project will allow Scone to prosper anew for the next 60 years.”

He added: “The attraction at Scone has not significantly evolved since 1966. Our ability to reinvest in the fabric of the palace and the other heritage assets we are privileged to be the stewards of is diminishing rapidly. Critically, we are a business – a significant local employer plus a partner and enabler to other local enterprises.

“We want to continue to punch high but are now battling in an increasingly competitive tourism market in Scotland. We – and indeed Perth Museum – need to compete with the likes of the V&A and Stirling Castle to draw people to visit and stay in Perth.

“Visitor expectations have increased. Visitors demand special and memorable experiences. Our unique heritage in the stories we tell meet expectations. Our interpretation and facilities do not. This is why the stables project is so important to Perth, Scone and the region.”

Viscount Stormont defended the “unapologetically modern” extensions to the stables and appealed to councillors to remove the planning condition which would not allow the use of copper cladding.

He argued the “bright metallic appearance of the copper cladding provides a clear visual identity tied to the crowning place of Scottish kings”.

However, Historic Environment Scotland – while not objecting – expressed concern over the proposed copper cladding material. Perth and Kinross Council’s Conservation team also felt the use of copper was “not appropriate”. PKC’s Development Management and Building Standards Service manager Kristian Smith told councillors they would prefer a “more muted finish”.

The committee was split. Five voted to approve the plans with the copper cladding and five voted to approve the development without the use of copper cladding.

Convener Ian Massie held the casting vote and the planning condition – recommended by council planners – not to use copper cladding was upheld.

Moving the application for approval Cllr Massie said: “This proposal is not only ambitious in scope but deeply respectful of our heritage.

“The development at Scone Palace represents a rare opportunity to enhance one of Scotland’s most historically significant landmarks, while securing its future as a sustainable, inclusive and economically vibrant destination.”