Scone Palace Grounds

Scone Palace mixes deep history with fine trees. The red sandstone Gothic palace stands above the River Tay just north of Perth, and the 100 acres of gardens and grounds around it include the Moot Hill, where the kings of Scots were crowned. Walking here, you move between historic sites, woodland and open parkland, with views over the Tay.

Start at the Moot Hill, where a replica of the Stone of Scone sits in front of a 17th-century chapel. Then head for the Murray Star maze, which covers 1,600 square metres and is planted in copper and green beech to echo the family tartan, laid out in the five-pointed star of the Mansfield emblem. Tree lovers should make time for the woodland and pinetum, where some of the fir trees are at least 250 years old. Scone was the first place in Britain to which the botanist David Douglas introduced the Douglas fir, and the kitchens use produce from the walled gardens.

For gardeners, Scone is a place to appreciate big conifers and to see how mature trees give a garden its sense of age. The maze is also a good example of hedging used playfully, which can inspire smaller-scale ideas at home. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and grounds, with water points and bins provided. There is a coffee shop in the Old Servants' Hall, and the walks and gardens map helps plan a route.