Restoration work begins on historic archway at Scone Palace

Work has begun on restoring a historic archway at Scone Palace which was extensively damaged following an accident in 2010.

Conservation experts have begun repair and restoration work on a historic archway at Scone Palace which was damaged in a lorry accident two years ago. The archway marks the entrance to an Augustinian Abbey which was once at the site and will take around one year to repair, depending upon the weather. When the lorry hit the archway, the central armorial panels were thrown from the archway and damaged beyond repair.

The Honourable William Murray, whose family own the archway, said: 'It was this very, very important archway - very significant to the family and also to Scottish history, primarily because of the timing of it. There were two crests that came tumbling down in the terrible incident last year and it's all to do with James I and the union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland, and of the imagery on these crests.'

Structural engineer specialist John Addison will lead the project, using the same techniques used to create the original archway in the sixteenth century.

Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories.

Sign up now for our FREE e-newsletter for more news stories, sneak previews, exclusive content and special offers.