Scottish Castles Association

Scone Palace Archway - As it was and now to be restored after it was damaged by a work van

The 16th century monument was all that remained of an Augustinian Abbey which once stood on the grounds of Scone Palace, near Perth, when it was reduced to rubble in the collision in September 2010.

However, a major project has been launched to restore the archway to its former glory.

The move has been welcomed by the family of the Earl of Mansfield, whose home is at the palace that was once the crowning place of Scottish kings.

The exact price of the work is unclear, but it has been estimated it could cost as much as £160,000. It is expected to be completed in about 12 months.

It was really quite a shock to see one of the images of my childhood in bits as I have so many happy memories of Scone Palace.

Speaking onsite yesterday, the Honourable William Murray, Master of Stormont and grandson of the Earl of Mansfield, said the whole episode had been very upsetting. He added: "We came rushing down in the car when we heard the accident had occurred.

It was really quite a shock to see one of the images of my childhood in bits as I have so many happy memories of Scone Palace.

"It will be great to see the archway reinstated, we just need to be very careful with the weather. It is still a giant jigsaw and some bits have been damaged beyond repair, but the main structure is still intact and we are confident it will look very good when it is finished."

The collision, involving a van being driven by contractors carrying out work at the palace, resulted in the central amorial panels being damaged beyond repair, with one thrown 15 metres onto a nearby lawn.

The project is being overseen by John Addison, one of Scotland's foremost conservation engineers, who has also carried out work at the Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh.

Ironically, Mr Addison had been surveying the archway as part of a Historic Scotland conservation project just days before the accident.

Source: The Herald