Scone Palace

NO12NW 9.4 1144 2654.

((A)NO 11422654 and (B) 11452655) Stone Coffins containing Human Remains found AD 1841.

OS 6"map, (1938)

Two stone coffins were found when excavating for terraces in 1841. One, containing bones and ashes was found close to the SE corner of Scone Palace and now lies in the wood to the north; the other was placed in the wood to the east. The skeletons were re-buried in the adjacent graveyard.

Name Book 1864.

'Between the present palace and the churchyard (NO 1155 2657) there were a great many stone coffins... in which the skeletons were very entire. In one of these was found a piece of gold lace, a piece of Cathern belt and some buckles. Above these were large stones, rising like a ridge in the middle, and bearing inscriptions, but so much defaced as to be illegible. At no great distance were many skeletons without any coffin. Very recently a coffin was found composed of various stones, and covered with a large flat stone, on one end of which there is apparently part of an inscription. There is no date, but the form of the letters strongly resembles that used about the year 1216, as given, for example, on the great seal of Henry III. The first line is 'Alexander Mar' - the second seems to contain the following letters: 'Abbasexdem', the letters beyond the 'd' and the 'm' are unknown. It is probably the grave of an early abbot of the monastery...

The old churchyard, still used by those who claim the right in consequence of their relations having been interred there, lies at some distance from that part of the grounds in which these stone coffins were placed.

NSA (written by J Craik) 1845.

There is nothing to be seen at the find spots of these coffins. One of the coffins was located at (c) NO 1161 2655. It measures 2.3m x 0.7m x 0.5m and is hollowed out to a depth of 0.3m. Beside the coffin is the large flat stone described by New Statistical Account (NSA 1845) as bearing the name "Alexander Mar". It measures 2.0m x 1.0m x 0.3m. Several fragments of masonry lie around the stone and the coffin. The second coffin was not located. Visited by OS (W D J) 16 October 1963.

In the graveyard (NO 1154 2660) are two carved, recumbent 17th century tombstones, with lettering and carving well preserved.

(At NO 1166 2658) is a collection of carved stones, including a stone coffin and coffin lid with deeply carved lettering on one end. Information from M E C Stewart, 29 Feburary 1964.

The author of the New Statistical Account notes the discovery, in 1841-5, 'between the present palace and the church-yard' of 'a great many stone coffins, some rough, and others in some degree hewn, in which the skeletons were very entire'; some appear to have had coped grave-covers, while, 'at no great distance were many skeletons without any coffin'. A stone-lined grave was also found, together with a large cover-slab, which still survives at NO 1164 2652, bearing an inscription commemorating 'Alexander Mar, Abbot'.

Since 1970, other skeletal remains have been found in this area. It is also recorded that, whilst making alterations to the terraces, workmen not only discovered foundations of a building (see NO12NW 9.03), but also came upon 'two stone coffins in good preservation' close by.

Information from Estate Office, Scone Palace and visited by RCAHMS (IMS) March 1990.