Scone Palace reopens next week (April 1st) for its 2019 tourist season with ground-breaking new rules on smoking and vaping. The award-winning visitor attraction is becoming a smoke and vape free environment within the Palace grounds as it endeavours to create the healthiest environment possible for visitors.
Bins will be located in the car park for visitors to stub out their cigarettes on entry to the grounds, which are celebrated as some of the most stunning and historically significant in Scotland.
The Palace hopes the move - believed to be a first for visitor attractions in Scotland - will enhance the whole visitor experience, as well as reducing risks to wildlife. The beautiful grounds are home to peacocks, red squirrels and deer, as well as a Pinetum, an extensive kitchen garden and the Murray Star Maze.
The policy does not extend to the wider estate which hosts popular events such as the annual Rewind Festival.
Stephen Brannigan, Head of House Opening at Scone Palace, said:
"We are so lucky to be custodians of a place that promotes a safe and healthy environment and workplace. That's why we decided to go to the next level and bring in a policy on smoking and vaping in the Palace grounds as well as our buildings - we feel that we owe it to our 
visitors, our staff and our natural environment. This will be just another addition to our first-class visitor experience."
Scone Palace, the crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, attracts more than 115,000 visitors a year and is a five-star-rated destination, as well as a popular venue for weddings, fairs and outdoors events. It was the first U.K. host of the International Medieval Combat Federation, held in the Palace grounds last year. This summer it will host the Scottish Axe Throwing Open for the first time as well as a dog-friendly event, Paws at the Palace.