Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland

 This evening, I am focusing on Scone and Scone Palace near Perth in central Scotland. ( Note the Scone is pronounced ‘Scoon’.)

The Palace (above) is the home of the Earls of Mansfield and dates from around 1805. This property is open to the public where a wide range of objects comprising furniture, paintings, porcelain and other objects d’art can be viewed. Facilities available to visitors also include a Pinetum with 186 year old Douglas Fir, gardens, woodland, a maze and even a few peacocks.

Apart from the Palace, the surrounding grounds are of great historical interest for the following reasons:

• There was a power base here which, allegedly, formed the capital of Pictavia around the 9th century. ( The Picts were native people who controlled large areas prior to consolidation of the country under the Scots.)
• It is the site of a 12th century Abbey, since destroyed.
• Here can be found Mote (or Moot)  Hill which was the crowning place of Scottish kings from the 9th to 13th centuries. Coronations entailed the new king sitting on a sandstone block known at the Stone of Destiny which was stolen by invading English and for some 700 years held in Westminster Abbey but now resides in Edinburgh Castle.
• The last king to be crowned here was Charles II in 1651.

Here is a replica in situ of the Stone of Destiny.

Stone of Destiny, Scone Palace, Perth

 Here is the Mercat Cross from the old village of Scone. The old village was removed to make way for the Palace. In the Middle Ages such crosses were common in Scottish towns and cities as focal meeting points for public announcements and trade and business.

Mercat Cross, Scone, Scotland

Overall, an interesting visitor attraction.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland

 Inverlochy Castle  is a substantial and impressive ruin located on the south bank of the River Orchy, near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Built by the Red Comyn, John, as Lord of Lochaber to guard the southern end of the Great Glen, it was one of the earliest stone castles in Scotland and dates from around 1275. Unfortunately, the Comyns lost a power battle, fell out of favour in 1306 and lost the castle. Other important facts:

• Granted to George Gordon in 1505.
• Witnessed two battles, in 1431 and 1645.
• Built in form of a square with round towers on each corner. The largest tower is known as the Comyn Tower and was the castle keep.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland

Entry is free and the site is definitely worth a visit when in the Fort William area.

George Square, Glasgow, Scotland

This morning, I undertook a photography tour of some interesting aspects of architecture in Glasgow’s Merchant City.

This sandstone-clad infill building is located at Ingram Street. It dates from 1994 and was designed by Page & Park. Note the heavily patinated phosphor-bronze shutters.

178-180 Ingram Street, Glasgow, Scotland

This four-storey block of flats also in Ingram Street is an infill and was given own ‘personality’ owing to inability to blend with adjacent structures. Shiny surface a function of black glazed bricks. Designed by Elder and Cannon Architects 1989.

107 Ingram Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Multi-storey car park at Candleriggs and Albion Street. Designed by the Carl Fisher Sibbald Partnership 1990. Reinforced concrete clad externally in brickwork with string-courses and decorative metal panels. Has affinity with art deco style.

Car Park at Candleriggs and Albion Street, Glasgow

Greyfriars Court at junction of Albion Street, Blackfriars Street and Wall Street.Designed by Cooper Cromar 1998. 1930s style tower on corner  provides a book-end balance.

Greyfriars Court, Albion Street, Glasgow

 Here is a neo-classical frontage in blond sandstone at Cochrane Square. Designed by CZWG 1996 and 1998.

Cochrane Square, Glasgow, Scotland

 Here is the Brunswick Hotel at 106-8 Brunswick Street. Designed by Elder and Cannon Architects 1996. Bridges a difficult style gap between French Renaissance and Baronial style on either sides. An elegant eight storey structure divided vertically into three separate zones.

Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Street, Glasgow

The above illustrates the wide choice of dynamic architecture in vibrant Glasgow. More illustrations to follow.