Getting There
Leave the M90 at Junction 11 and follow the signs to Perth A85.
Continue ahead on the A85 to enter Perth. Follow the signs for Blairgowrie, Braemar, Coupar Angus.
Turn left on the A93, signed Blairgowrie and Scone Palace. At the brown sign, turn left into the grounds of Scone Palace.
Return to M90 Junction 11
Leave the Palace grounds and turn right. Go straight on at the traffic lights, and follow the blue signs to return to the M90 Junction 11.
Scone Palace
A very grand location for walking the dog this, which combines a visit to one of Scotland’s premier visitor spots with fun activities for kids, historical viewing underpinned by a fine coffee shop, tasteful souvenir shopping, and dog happiness too. Careful planning will let you see and do as much as you like.
Before starting out, it’s worth noting that dogs are not allowed in the main building so if you want to go inside and your passengers are amenable to a sort of rota system there are options.
For the dog walk, we started off with Jem startling some peacocks in the car park so it was back on the lead for a sedate stroll into the grounds, where dogs should be on leads. Turn right to pass through the gateway opposite the palace and this will bring you into The Wild Garden and Pinetum where we found dogs running happily under the pine trees.
Returning to the Palace, dogs are welcome to sit with their people at one of the outdoor tables at the café, and this is well sited opposite the Moot Hill.
The highlight of this walk for Jem was the star maze, where the cunning design stretched his collie herding instincts to the limit. If your dog enjoys a challenge – go for this! The maze entrance is through a small wooden gate at the rear of the car park.
Facilities
Free parking. Entry charge to grounds £4.50, RHS members free. Car park gates close 17.45. WCs in car park, as well as in the main building. Shop, restaurant, and café with some outdoor seating. Full access to facilities for wheelchair users via stairlift from near the Gift Shop. Dog water provided at the café.