2023 Treasure Ticket Launch
Blair Castle, Glamis Castle and Scone Palace have just launched a joint admission pass that can be used in 2023.
Blair Castle, Glamis Castle and Scone Palace have just launched a joint admission pass that can be used in 2023.
Three of Scotland’s most iconic visitor attractions in Highland Perthshire and Angus have collaborated to launch an exclusive value offer for 2023. The new ‘Treasure Ticket’ gives visitors 10% off admission to the unique experiences of Blair Castle, Glamis Castle and Scone Palace for the 2023 season (1st April to 28th October).
These historical residences and their spectacular grounds, located within an hour’s travelling distance of each other, offer fascinating insights into Scotland’s rich history and nobility, which have proved alluring to visitors from all over the world and graced the small and silver screens over the years.
Blair Castle – crowned Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Hospitality Awards – is the ancestral home of the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl, which was built in 1269 and sits within over 120,000 acres of the Atholl Estates. Still in the same family ownership, the Dukes of Atholl, Blair Castle is classed as one of Scotland’s most beautiful ‘lived in’ castles, and featured in ITV’s hit drama series Victoria for its royal ties with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who were regular visitors to the Estate.
New for 2023, the award-winning ‘Castle Couture’ exhibition from 2022 returns to the Castle with a Centennial collection of rare, and previously unseen, historical garments and accessories from the Castle attics, including treasured items from the 8th Duchess of Atholl, Scotland’s first Scottish female Member of Parliament. Blair Castle’s archivist Keren Guthrie has curated three new exhibition rooms giving an unprecedented insight to the statement designs, intricate embroidery, innovative textiles and style influences from the 18th century through to the 20th century.
Situated in heart of Angus, Glamis is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and has a rich history dating back to 1372 having welcomed many royal visitors from Mary, Queen of Scots to James V.
The historic site was the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and was the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, was born at Glamis Castle.
2023 marks the return of guided tours at Glamis Castle after a three-year hiatus. With a knowledgeable group of castle tour guides, visitors will be able to explore the many fascinating stories from the castle’s 650-year history. Also returning this year is the Children of Glamis Exhibition, a celebration of the families and childhoods experienced at Glamis over the centuries. The exhibition features photographs, childhood dresses and toys belonging to Her Majesty The Queen from when she visited Glamis Castle with her family when she was a little girl.
Overlooking the River Tay is the majestic Scone Palace, the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings. In all, forty-two kings, including Robert the Bruce and Macbeth were crowned on Moot Hill whilst sat on the Stone of Scone (sometimes referred to as the Stone of Destiny) and a replica stone sits on this site today. Shrouded in myth and legend, the Palace dates to the 12thcentury. It has been the home of the Murray family for over 400 years and is the present home of the 9th Earl & Countess of Mansfield.
Scone Palace breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland, having been the capital of the Pictish kingdom some fifteen hundred years ago, the site of historical parliaments, affairs of state and many coronations. Today you can visit the stunning State Rooms and hear all about the rich history, see the famously mesmerising painting by David Martin of Dido Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray. The 100 acres of grounds, which are dog friendly, offer you a chance to find your way through the Murray Star Maze, see the Walled Kitchen Gardens, Victorian Pinetum as well as many footpaths to discover. The Palace has featured in many recent acclaimed TV productions including BBC Antiques Road Show, the Great British Bake-Off, Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets and Sally Lindsay’s Posh Sleepovers.
Karen Drysdale, head of tourism and events at Atholl Estates, said:
“We’re excited to reopen for 2023 and look forward to welcoming visitors back to Blair Castle. Last year, we enjoyed welcoming visitors back and were delighted to win the Visitor Attraction of the Year Award. Tourism and hospitality have faced real challenges over recent years and therefore it is important to deliver unique experiences that provide value for money. In partnering with Glamis and Scone Palace, the Treasure Ticket gives access to three of the most spectacular heritage properties in Highland Perthshire.”
Commenting, Steven Cumming, General Manager at Glamis Castle, said:
“After a challenging period for the tourism industry, we are excited to be able to deliver guided tours to our visitors in person again for the first time since before the pandemic. We have a packed events calendar at Glamis Castle this summer from family fun days to the return of our Children of Glamis Exhibition, so there’s plenty experiences for visitors to enjoy in the coming months. We are also delighted to partner with fellow heritage visitor attractions, Blair Castle and Scone Palace, to offer even more value to visitors through the Treasure Ticket – an absolute must for tourists visiting the area.”
In conclusion, Stephen Brannigan, Head of Scone Palace said:
“Perthshire has much to offer both visitors and those who already live here. There’s a rich heritage to go with the stunning landscape of the area. We’re delighted to be working with two other great historic houses in offering real value to all who enjoy getting out and seeing what’s on offer in Perthshire. It’s an exciting time to discover the rich history, with the Stone of Scone on its way to Westminster in May this year, and then coming to Perthshire to rest in the Perth City Museum next year, close to its original home of Scone Palace.”
Tickets are available online or in person at Blair Castle, Glamis Castle and Scone Palace. The Treasure Ticket is priced at £45 per adult, £32 child with up to five years old free and £144 for a family pass (two adults and three children). It is valid for the whole season from 1st April to 28th October 2023. For more information, visit https://atholl-estates.co.uk; https://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/ and https://www.scone-palace.co.uk
