£10M Scone Palace Transformation Set to Boost Perth’s Visitor Economy
A £10 million plan to transform Scone Palace into a world-class visitor attraction has been approved by Perth & Kinross councillors, marking a major investment in Perth’s visitor economy and the long-term sustainability of one of Scotland’s most significant heritage sites.
The redevelopment centres on converting the Palace’s disused stable block into a modern visitor hub featuring a new entrance, café, shop, Pictish-themed adventure playground, and new parking facilities.
The project also includes reconstructed greenhouses and a solar meadow of approximately 2,000 panels as part of a broader commitment to environmental sustainability. New pedestrian and cycle routes from Stormontfield Road will link directly to the Cross Tay Link Road, improving access and strengthening Perth’s wider active-travel network.
The plans reflect Scone Palace’s ambition to enhance the visitor experience while securing economic resilience for future generations. The investment arrives ahead of the Palace’s 60th anniversary of opening to the public, a milestone that highlights both its heritage legacy and its ongoing importance to Perth’s cultural landscape.
Viscount William Stormont framed the approval as a pivotal moment for both the estate and the region, emphasising the strategic value of the project within Scotland’s tourism sector. He went on to highlight the need for Perth to match destinations such as the V&A Dundee and Stirling Castle in attracting visitors, encouraging overnight stays and supporting local businesses.
He commented, “As Perth positions itself as a leading cultural destination, the redevelopment will strengthen the region’s offering, reinforcing Perth’s role as a dynamic, high-quality visitor hub.
“Visitor expectations have changed. Our heritage and stories are strong, but our facilities need to match them. This project is essential for Scone, Perth and the wider region.”
The development is expected to generate an immediate wave of job creation across construction, specialist craftsmanship, design, conservation, catering, landscaping and energy installation. These jobs will be followed by new permanent roles in a dynamic tourism environment once the visitor centre opens.
More Than A Tourism Upgrade
Designed to stimulate the visitor economy, enhance heritage interpretation and strengthen Perth’s competitive position in Scotland’s cultural landscape, the project has been almost a decade in development. It forms part of a four-point masterplan that aims to drive sustainable growth, expand employment, deliver new homes and support the transition to a low-carbon economy across northern Perth.
The estate’s vision aligns closely with Perth & Kinross Council strategies including Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3) and the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) agenda. Together, these priorities emphasise low-carbon investment, active travel, placemaking and sustainable rural development.
In addition to these overarching strategies, Phase 2 of the Perth Transport Futures project - the recently opened Destiny Bridge and New Kingsway - is set to unlock unprecedented opportunities by improving access, relieving congestion, and creating development-ready corridors for green energy, housing and employment. Scone Estates’ masterplan is positioned to maximise these benefits.
The Masterplan for Sustainable Regional Growth
The Stables redevelopment is only one component of a broader transformation. Scone Estates’ 2037 Masterplan outlines four major areas of activity: integrated land management including a wind farm and private wire, new homes, visitor attractions, and recreation and events.
These strands collectively aim to strengthen the local economy, protect the environment and enhance community wellbeing.
Integrated Land Management
Across the estate, integrated land management is underway. More than 600 acres of woodland were planted at North Logiealmond in 2024, and the estate is progressing into green energy generation, aligned with farming and biodiversity objectives. These initiatives will strengthen climate resilience, enhance biodiversity and support natural flood mitigation.
In particular, the proposed wind farm at North Logiealmond would generate up to 96MW of renewable energy each year and a cutting-edge private wire connection into Perth could assist businesses with direct low-carbon, renewable energy.
New Homes
Homes are being delivered on Scone Estates’ land to the north of Scone village in partnership with A&J Stephen. The Mansfield Park neighbourhood will comprise 400 new homes, 100 of which will be affordable, with many designed for older and less able residents through enhanced accessibility.
Visitor Attractions
The approved planning application will now kickstart the generational investment in Scone Palace’s visitor offer, including a new Visitor Centre and restaurant alongside an adventure playground. The Palace will gain a new northern entrance connected to the Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) and new active travel routes.
Recreation and Events
Scone Estates has brought the racecourse business back in-house and is developing it into Perth’s leading Conference Centre. The events calendar is expanding, including the Scone Palace International Horse Trials launching in 2025.
Together, these four pillars create a robust, future-focused framework for growth centred on environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and community benefit.
Stewardship, Sustainability and Strategic Investment
The long-term vision for Scone Estates is grounded in more than four centuries of family stewardship. The estate spans 19,000 acres from Scone’s fertile lowlands to the uplands of North Logiealmond and today operates as a diversified rural enterprise encompassing farming, forestry, housing, property rentals, events, and tourism.
The leadership’s focus is clear: to preserve and enhance the estate’s heritage while modernising its operations in ways that align with national planning priorities, environmental commitments and local economic needs.
William Stormont summarised the commitment by saying, “Scone Estates’ integrated approach in combining heritage, placemaking, biodiversity and future-focused economic development, aligns strongly with national priorities and positions Perth for a resilient, prosperous future.
“The next decade will determine how Perth responds to the challenges and opportunities of a changing Scotland. Through this masterplan, Scone Estates is signalling that it intends not just to adapt, but to play its part in leading the way forward.”
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