A Sunday afternoon at the Palace
This Sunday I decided I would visit a local event after my morning dog walk. The event of choice is Potfest at Scone Palace. Potfest events are 3 days long and take place in Perth, Penrith and Hutton-in-the-Forest near Penrith. The entrance fee to the event was a mere £6.
I love ceramics and have always wanted to attend Potfest as its right on my doorstep. Well behaved pooches are welcome but I decided to leave Mac at home – like myself he can be a tad clumsy (and the thought of his waggy tail wiping out a priceless piece of pottery gave me palpitations).
I was pleased to see there were lots of dogs and their humans at the event and there is a excited buzz amongst traders and customers.
Set in the grounds of the mighty Scone Palace, the sun was shining and it was warm with a gentle cool breeze. Peacocks are strutting around the tents and I can hear distant cheers from Perth Races as it’s Gold Cup day just across the field.
The variety of ceramic work on display and for sale was outstanding. Traders from all around the UK attended with their fabolous designs. From kitchen pottery to animal portraits, the selection was vast. Lots of different types of ceramic work using different types of clay or different firing techniques. There was also a workshop on how to use a Potter’s Wheel and also there was a tent in which you paint and fire your own pot.
There is brief set every year for an artist competition and we as the public are given voting slips on entry and we can mark our votes down and submit them. This years brief was avian architecture. Lots of different ceramic ideas of different styles of birdhouses, all fantastic and creative. I had a good look and cast my votes, then headed off for an ice cream.
I love visiting this area of Perthshire as there are so many things to do – when the races aren’t on one can go for a run or a walk round the tracks surrounding the course and along the river. There is a diverse range of events on at Scone Palace also from the Game Fair down in the fields below the Palace to Spirits of Scone in and around the Palace Gardens. Visit their website to have a look to see what’s on.
There are some fab places to get something to eat as well as Scone Palace’s own cafe and The Lodge at the Racecourse. There is the Strawberry Shop along the A93 toward Blairgowrie. We also have the new Italian coffee shop La Sicilyana in Scone and the wonderful Anglers Inn at Guildtown (their Sunday carvery is tremendous)!
Check out Walk Highlands for some fab walks around the area. We have some lovely properties in and around Perthshire – have a look at the cottages map on our website to check availability
