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By Elizabeth Hunter

A palace where the Kings of Scotland were once crowned is set to reopen for its 60th anniversary celebration.

For centuries, the palace was home to Scone Abbey and the Stones of Scone, serving as the grounds for coronations of the Kings of Scotland between 1249 and 1651.

In 1488, James IV became the penultimate king to be crowned at Scone, and during the Reformation in 1559, a mob burned down the Abbey.

Scone Palace became a private home following the damage, passing to the Ruthven family until their alleged involvement in a conspiracy against James VI.

Scone Palace then passed to the family of the Earl of Mansfield, who still own the castle today – and for the last 60 years, have opened the interior and grounds of the palace to members of the public.

The palace receives over 100,000 visitors each year, and opens this year on April 1.

A representative from Scone Palace said: “With over one hundred thousand visitors every year and known as The Crowning Place of Scottish Kings, the team have been busying preparing the Palace for the busy months ahead.

“To celebrate our 60th Anniversary year of welcoming visitors a new membership has been launched – ‘Pay for a day, Visit for a Year’ – meaning there has never been a better time to explore this historical building and beautiful grounds.

“The Palace & Gardens are open seven days a week and are offering every visitor a free annual membership with every purchase of a Palace & Gardens entry ticket, meaning they can return to visit as many times as they wish for a full year.

“Discover stunning Palace rooms in the ancestral home of the Murrays of Scone and Earls of Mansfield.”