The Crowning Place of Scottish Kings

■ Immerse yourself in Scotland’s history as you experience the crowning place of Scottish kings. Stand on the Moot Hill, where the Kings of Scots were crowned on the famous Stone of Scone.

■ Explore our magnificent and extensive grounds which feature the Victorian pinetum, plant hunters pavilion, kitchen garden, Murray star maze and walled garden development.

■ Browse around Food and Gift Shops where you will find a wealth of fine Scottish products together with homemade produce. Enjoy delicious refreshments in our selfservice Coffee Shop.

■ Winter Hours: FREE ADMISSION to the Grounds, Food Shop and Coffee Shop each Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November, December, February and March.

■ Exciting events programme throughout the season including the International Ceramic Art Festival, Potfest, Halloween with the Spirits of Scone and various Music Festivals.

■ GARDEN TOURS - explore our grounds and gardens with our Head Gardener, Brian Cunningham who regularly features on BBC Beechgrove Garden.

■ Coach Friendly Status

■ Discounted rates for groups of 15 or more the harvests of the fertile North East, is the oil capital of Europe, and its docks bring huge service vessels almost on to Union Street itself. Will your party head north up the coast (past e Donald’s controversial golf courses) or head west, deep into Royal Deeside and Balmoral. en on to Inverness. Yes, that really is the River Ness flowing though the city centre. Nessie may not make an appearance, but that need not dissuade you from sailing the famous Loch.

■ Exclusive group dining options in either our Old Kitchen restaurant or Murray Suite.

Crown Je wel Exp eriences

Experience what you cannot experience anywhere else in the world. What would be a visit to Edinburgh without the Edinburgh Festivals - the biggest arts gathering in the world. en again, why stop at that. Edinburgh isn’t called the Festival City for nothing. ere’s something festive in every season. Glasgow’s Celtic

Connections celebrates folk culture like no other, and the Viking winter warmer that is fire festival of Up Helly Aa makes a visit to the very northern tip of the British Isles unforgettably inflammable.

What else makes Scotland Scotland? at you can emerge from Waverley Station to the skirl of bagpipes on the capital’s main street - that’s one.

at the Duke of Wellington is not considered dressed in Glasgow, unless he has a traffic cone on his head (don’t try this at home, kids).

Distilleries. Would you come to the spiritual hime of whisky without a spiritual visit to a distillery? Of course not. Now, the good news. While places like Speyside (w ww.speyside dist illery co uk) are renowned the world over for their production, that’s not the only place you can go to for the authentic experience. Whisky is distilled all over Scotland, and no premises worth a dram is without a welcome as warm as the water of life itself. From Pulteney in Wick, Balblair Distillery (www balblair com) and Balmenach Distillery in Speyside www caorunngin com (which produces Caorunn Scottish Gin), you’ll find a visit to suit your itinerary. Ardnahoe Distillery, (ardnahoe distiller y.com) on the island of Islay - the latest addition to the offshore fold - is one of nine on that island alone.

Tartan, and men who wear the kilt to work - it’s common. Traditional chip shops and not-sotraditional deep fried Mars Bars (don’t try this at home, kids). It’s not all deep fried delights. Traditional Scottish cuisine will open your eyes and tastebuds too. From fish in Fraserburgh to ice cream in Largs, by way of an Aberdeen Angus steak, you’ll be well fed before you’re on your way home. A curry in Glasgow’s West End - unforgettable. Fully fed, hit the shops. Glasgow is the UK’s biggest retail centre outside London. Alternatively, hit the culture: the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum we’ve already mentioned, but don’t overlook the striking Science Centre, and the Riverside Transport Musuem too. www vam ac uk

Did youknow?

Imports of haggis to the US have been banned since the 70s