Perth
It’s not Australia, but it is just as beautiful. Perth is a city north of Edinburgh, on the banks of the River Tay. We are searching for Scone Palace, and the coveted Stone of Destiny. The stone where some of Scotland’s greatest kings were crowned. The train station and the area surrounding it was quaint and picturesque. Red and orange leaves littered the sidewalk and the yards of the white picket-fenced houses. We catch a cab; our driver is a middle-aged woman named Jane. She’s chatty, and kind. She tells us about her favorite childhood memories, ice skating on the River Tay, back when it still used to freeze over. And how Perth was once the capitol of Scotland before it moved to Edinburgh. She drops us off at the gates of Scone Palace,and hands us her card. “Call me when you’re ready for a ride back, loves” she says, then pulls down the long, winding drive.
Scone Palace
The first friend we make at Scone palace is a dazzling peacock. He’s surrounded by a flock of peahens, like he’s king of the palace. They pay no attention to us as we make our way towards the palace. A large house made of red stone. The next friend we meet is one of the numerous tour guides, all in blue jumpers. Each was more friendly and knowledgeable than the next. The house is beautiful, like being stuck inside a Jane Austen novel. One of the rooms had dozens of statues carved from ivory. Unfortunately, because the eighth Earl of Mansfield and his family still lives in Scone Palace, we were not able to take pictures of the inside.
Out side is Scone Abby, and in front, is the Stone of Destiny! Rather a replica of the Stone of Destiny, the ‘real’ one is inside Edinburgh Castle (allegedly). We each sat on the Stone, and for a moment, felt like royalty. Before we called Jane to catch a ride back to the station, we of course had scones.
Jane picks us back up, and we depart back to our own palace.
