Scone Palace launches new wildlife trail

Jul 9 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A NEW wildlife trail has been launched at Scone Palace.

To encourage visitors to explore the rich flora, fauna and birdlife which can be found across the attraction’s 100-acre grounds, the trail takes in the palace’s butterfly and woodland gardens and its pinetum.

It also gives visitors access to the site’s river area, providing an opportunity to spot creatures such as herons, otters and kingfishers.

Way-marked by cartoon character ‘Cyril the Squirrel’, the trail includes interpretive boards for eagle-eyed ramblers.

An accompanying leaflet encourages younger visitors to become nature detectives for the day by undertaking a series of quizzes, challenges and ‘I Spy’ games, as well as presenting fascinating facts about popular native species.

Palace head gardener Jonathan Campbell, who created the trail, said: “We wanted to encourage our younger visitors in particular to get out and discover the wildlife and nature on their doorstep by presenting information in a fun and inspiring way.”

The trail is open 9.30am-5.30pm daily until October 31, and on Fridays from November to March. A grounds fee applies.