This morning we ventured forth heading north over the Firth of Forth by Fife to Perth. (Say that three times rapidly.) Our first stop is at Huntingtower Castle a little over an hour’s drive from the hotel. As we crossed the large road bridge over the Firth, Peter explained that the bridge is deteriorating badly and that a replacement bridge is being constructed. We all held our breath as we crossed it safely; however, we still have the return trip to think about.

We passed through beautiful rolling countryside with well-tended farms. Today we reach our furthermost point north, 56.5 degrees latitude. Further north in the distance we can see the Scottish highlands.

Beckie, the Huntingtower Castle custodian, gave us an introduction to the structure. The castle was originally two separate towers, the earliest built around 1480 and the later around 1500. The two towers were joined in the 16th century.

Beckie explained that the castle had a connection with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. James VI (James I of England) had been held prisoner in the castle and told several conflicting tales about his experience. When James assumed the throne in England, Shakespeare tried to get on his good side with the now-lost play Gowrie. However, the play was not very flattering to James, and it was stopped when the king expressed his displeasure. Shakespeare still liked the basic story, however, so he modified it and introduced the Scottish kings Duncan and Macbeth. Beckie assured us that Duncan died in his sleep at an advanced age and that Macbeth was a good king. Repeat after me: “You do not learn history from Shakespeare”.

We then drove a short distance to the Scone (sounds like scoon) Palace. This was originally an abbey and is now a beautiful private home.  Other than the magnificent palace and the sprawling grounds, the first things we spied as we pulled into the car park were the animals. Numerous pea cocks and pea hens roamed freely about the place, and several very shaggy cows grazed in an adjacent pasture.

 

The real importance of Scone Castle is that this was the location where the Scottish kings were crowned. The coronation occurred on Moot Hill with the king sitting on the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny. The story of this stone is fascinating but too long to go into here. Just Google “Stone of Scone” to learn more about it.

The grounds were well cared for and had a couple of other monuments and a cemetery. It also contained a surprisingly complicated maze. Linda and I ventured into the maze right after lunch, before our tour into the castle. After quite a bit of wandering around, we started to worry if we would make it back by the scheduled meeting time. We did finally find our way out and when we mentioned this to Ros, she told us the secret for finding your way through the maze. When we asked why she didn’t tell us this before we entered it, she said, “Well, you didn’t ask.” I think she was trying to get rid of us!

We then returned to the hotel, safely re-crossing the deteriorating bridge over the Firth. After another good meal, many in the group visited a local pub for a beer and socializing before turning in.