Scone Circular, Scone near Perth

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This fine circular walk was created in 2005 to celebrate the bi-centenary of the moving of Scone from its original position near Scone Palace. It includes an ascent to, not just one but two hilltop monuments - Macduff's folly and the Lynedoch Obelisk, both with excellent views. The gentle descent leads over the golf course before a final meander through Scone itself.

Terrain

Paths including on golf course, minor road, one very section; can be muddy in places.

Public Transport

Regular buses to Scone from Perth.

Start

Scone - riverside car park near Scone Old Church. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the car park next to Scone Old Church at the southern end of the village - reached by following the signs from the main road for the David Douglas memorial. The church originally stood in the grounds of Scone Palace and was moved, stone by stone, to its new position when the new village of Scone was built further away from the Palace. It is worth visiting the graveyard, as above the back of the church is the impressive memorial to David Douglas, a gardener at Scone Palace who went on to become a great botanist and plant hunter, responsible for bringing the Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce as well as many other plants back to Europe. Plant hunting took him to dangerous places and he died aged only 35 having fallen into a hunting trap and been gored by a wild bull in Hawaii.

Stage 2

From the church walk along the road, forking right along the one-way section, until the main road and former Scone Arms is reached. Cross the main road on the crossing and turn left along the far side. Soon turn right into Den Road; follow this road past houses and a children's play area on the right (ignoring the footbridge into it. Keep along the lane, passing into the Den of Scone woods; when the lane becomes a private driveway turn right (signed) to cross a wooden footbridge and follow a path through a lovely area of mature trees. Cross a smaller bridge and keep right as the path climbs uphill.

Stage 3

Eventually the path emerges onto a minor road at a metal gate, turn left and continue uphill. At the next corner the entrance gates to Bonhard House are reached. Turn right along a path just before the gates following the sign for McDuff's Monument. The path passes through another gate and a section of woodland before crossing a footbridge and later reaching another minor road. Turn left along the road, passing the fine house at Balcraig with its eagle gateposts, before turning right on a signed track heading uphill.

Stage 4

When the track swings right keep ahead on the path, climbing steeply uphill through trees, passing a covered reservoir, before emerging onto moorland. The McDuff Monument is just beyond - it was built as a folly before 1783 by the family who lived in Bonhard House. Here there is a seat and great views over Scone and Perth. Continue on the signed path, taking the left branch when it forks.

Stage 5

Soon the path comes alongside a fence - follow this to the right until you reach a gate. Pass through this and follow a path the clear path as it crosses the moorland - between two lines of telegraph poles at first. This area is a good place to spot deer and birds of prey. After passing through a gate near a big tree climb up to the obelisk which is also a good viewpoint. The Obelisk was erected in 1853 in memory of Lord Lynedoch who fought with Wellington to free Portugal and Spain in the battle of Barossa in 1811.

Stage 6

From the summit of Murrayshall Hill follow the main path leading north before it swings left to head northwest towards the trees. Soon it passes a bench and continues down towards the golf course. Cross behind the ladies' tee and follow the clear path opposite, continuing downhill through the trees. When this path swings right, follow a narrower path through the woods carrying straight on. This reaches another golf course path, turn left and follow this, then turning right when when it emerges near the 16th tee.

Stage 7

Continue down to reach a road, and then turn left along it. Before the large new houses are reached turn right onto a path down onto the next section of golf course. As this peters out pass to the right of the green, crossing a footbridge and then descending left to reach the main golf course path. Turn left down this, continuing downhill to left of a fairway. When the driveway to Murrayshall is reached turn left. The house to the right is now a hotel but was originally owned by the Norie-Millers who founded General Accident.

Stage 8

When the driveway to the hotel reaches the road turn right and follow the minor road. When the road turns sharp right leave it, turning left onto a track signed for Balgarvie. This leads downhill through farmland before eventually reaching a broader track. Turn left onto this track and then right after the house onto a minor road. Follow the road down towards Scone. At the next road go straight across, descending steps and a walkway to the main road beyond. Cross this and take the road opposite until Lovers Lane is reached.

Stage 9

Turn left and follow Lovers Lane to the bottom; go straight across here onto a grassy path to reach Stormont Road. Turn right here and then turn left just before the park. Follow this road all the way through the mixed housing of New Scone - passing the Robert Douglas Memorial Institute - until a right turn at the bottom brings you back to the church and the start of the walk.

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