Finest knights set to cross swords in Scone

Contest: Palace gets ready to play host to world championships for medieval combat

Battle cries and the crash of steel on shield will echo around the medieval crowning place of Scottish Kings next year.

Melee combat will return to Scone Palace as some of the world’s most battle-hardened knights test their mettle on the Perthshire parklands.

They will challenge each other as the historic visitor attraction hosts the International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships from May 10-13.

To get visitors in the mood, the palace will host the UK’s premier full contact medieval battle group for a day of duelling, team fights and archery on July 29 this year.

Entitled Battle Heritage – the Tournament of Destiny, there will be the sights, sounds and smells of a medieval military encampment for visitors to explore.

While medieval re-enactment fighting has been popular for decades, countries around the world are now signing up for full contact events, in which ancient combat is revived as a regulated sport featuring historically accurate weapons and armour.

Organisers and participants claim competitors remain relatively free of injuries and that rugby players suffer more bumps and scrapes than those taking part in fights.

The idea for Scone Palace to start hosting the full contact battles came from William Murray, Viscount Stormont, son of the Earl of Mansfield and Lady Mansfield.

While working in New York, William, 28, learned about the growing popularity of the sport and met several American and Canadian fighters.

After meeting the vice-president of the International Medieval Combat Federation, he offered to host the 2018 World Championships.

William said of his first brush with fullcontact medieval combat: “It was quite the spectacle, like watching boxing in armour.

“It was hugely entertaining to watch and not for the faint-hearted.

“I was brought up watching the film A Knight’s Tale, so I found myself completely taken by the sport.

“It’s a real coup for us to be hosting the World Championships.”

Heather McArthur, events manager for Scone Palace, said: “We’re thrilled to be adding Battle Heritage to our lineup of events this year at Scone Palace and we feel this is the perfect setting.

“With 2017 being Scotland’s Year of History and Archaeology, it is fitting that we should be bringing alive the past and the medieval period in particular in our historic grounds.”

This year’s event runs from 10am-4pm. Admission is free to season ticket holders, while ticket prices start at £5. Visit www.scone-palace.co.uk for more information.

It was like watching boxing with armour. It was hugely entertaining and not for the fainthearted

Knights from Battle Heritage fight it out in melee action. The re-enactment group will come to Scone Palace in July ahead of 2018’s International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships at the same venue.