The storms that battered Tayside on Monday caused what’s been described as “utter devastation” in the grounds of historic Scone Palace.
Gales tore through the stunning parklands and trees at the crowning place of Scottish kings, causing unprecedented damage.
A number of fine specimens were left scarred, though fortunately not toppled by the high winds, and estate staff are now beginning a major clean-up operation.
Among the trees damaged was the impressive King James VI sycamore, one of the estate’s “veteran trees,” which lost one of its giant limbs.
The massive branch was sent crashing to the ground just yards from the palace to join the debris clogging many of the paths in the 100-acre grounds.
Thankfully the Pinetum which houses a stunning collection of tree species gathered from all over the world escaped relatively unscathed.
While admitting the damage could have been worse, Scone Palace administrator Elspeth Bruce admitted she’d been stunned.
“The grounds have been quite badly hit,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. To be honest, when I first saw the damage it was a scene of total devastation.
“Thankfully the Pinetum, which is the main arborical selling point of the palace grounds, escaped any really significant damage.
“Our broadleafs were harder hit and a limb has broken off the King James VI sycamore. While the damage will not threaten the tree, it is rather an unsightly wound.”
Along with the rest of the country, the estate was battered by high winds on Monday and following a power cut, the palace and grounds were closed to the public.
The palace reopened on Tuesday to welcome the scheduled 16 bus-loads of visitors, but while they were able to view the stunning building and its contents, the grounds remained off limits.
Visitors were directed away from the main entrances to the palace as a team of estate staff worked to clear paths and roads and remove debris.
It’s understood the grounds will remain closed to the public today, though Scone Palace will be open as usual.