ONE OF the most eagerly anticipated tourist seasons in Scone Palace’s history began yesterday as the spectacular house and grounds opened up again.

The palace is marking the 700th anniversary of the crowning of Robert the Bruce with a month-long series of events.

It starts tomorrow when the date will be marked by the current chief of the Bruce clan, the Earl of Elgin, in a gathering of descendants from across the world.

The events will culminate with a pageant weekend at the end of April, to include jousting, falconry displays and “living history” demonstrations.