Visit to Scone Place

Scone Palace

 Earlier this week visited Scone Palace - I think my first ever visit to the Palace itself.

A veritable treasure trove of fine furnishings, porcelain, ivories and objects d'art and as ever on visiting these fine houses with their wonderful collections came away feeling I had viewed but a small part and appreciated even less.

Of the furnishings perhaps the finest piece is a writing desk used by Marie Antoinette.

Mary never visited which is understandable granted that the original palace had been destroyed or at least badly damaged by the mob in 1559 and in any event was owned by the Ruthvens in many ways arch-enemies of the Queen.

However in the last room visited there are bed hangings and a tapestry said to have been worked by Mary during her time as a prisoner in Lochleven No indication of provenance was given. Mary seems to have spent a lot of time weaving even for a prisoner.

Below some images of the hangings.

During the tour it was mentioned that the last Protestant coronation indeed last coronation to be held in Scotland that of Charles 11 in 1651 was at Scone. Had an interesting discussion as to how it might have compared with that of James V1.

Ronald Morrison

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Scottish Branch of the Society will be on Monday 24th. October in the Quaker Meeting House Victoria Terrace Edinburgh - aim to be there for 7.00 p.m.

For full details of the Quaker Meeting House and how to get there see their website

On the evening we are very pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Turnbull who will speak on

"The Beatification of Mary"

The meeting is open to all - no charge.

Earlier a number of members will be meeting to enjoy a bite to eat in the The Royal McGregor 154 High Street.

In the aftrenoon at 2.30 p.m. some members will be meeting to view the Singing the Reformation exhibition in the University Library on George Square.If we can justify sufficient numbers we are hoping to be given a specialized guided tour. Quoting from the University's website re. the exhibition;

• Step into the world of Reformation Scotland to see and hear how singing touched everyone.
• Listen to the early music that was sung and played in early modern Scotland whilst viewing the original musical manuscripts and musical instruments.
• Investigate how music was found within church and chamber and was part of life in ordinary households as well as in the royal court.
• See how contemporary visual images of the natural world found in wall panels and paintings, minatures and needlework complement the songs and all ‘sing’ together with a 'chereful voyce'.
• Examine the most important surviving source for Scotland’s early music found within Thomas Wode’s partbooks.
• View all eight Partbooks brought together from across the world for the very first time.
• Follow the careers of Thomas Wode, the man who preserved the music and of his patron Lord James Stewart, Regent Moray.
• With the help of contemporary books, manuscripts, paintings and maps enter into the soundscape surrounding a Scot during the reign of King James VI.
• Understand the role of psalm singing before and after the Protestant Reformation and how it continues to this day.

All enquiries contact Ronald Morrison -RM114414@aol.com.

Looks like a most interesting day in prospect,