Scone Palace is to host a Festival of Orchids from 5th – 6th August 2006. The festival will include displays by six of the UK's top orchid nurseries and suppliers, as well as talks and demonstrations on the art of orchid - growing, competitions, and orchids for sale.

The Palace is the home of the Earls of Mansfield and was the crowning place of Scotland's Kings until 1651. The current Earl is a keen orchid collector, and the many beautiful orchids that adorn the State Rooms at Scone Palace are from his private collection. The exquisite collection originates from 1971, when the Earl received an orchid from his parents as a birthday gift.

By 1985, the collection had grown to 150 plants, however the Earl’s ongoing consuming passion for orchids was fuelled by the arrival of Peter Timoney, Scone Palace's head gardener.

Since 1 January 1986, there have been orchids in flower every day at Scone Palace. The Earl of Mansfield now has the largest private orchid collection in the country, totalling over 1,000 plants. Many of these blooms will be on display in the Palace State Rooms during the Festival.

According to Peter Timoney, the festival will be a 'must' for orchid enthusiasts and casual horticulturists alike. He said: "We look forward to welcoming orchid lovers and gardeners from across the UK to Scone in August. As well as providing a spectacular and colourful show, we hope that we’ll be able to take some of the mystery out of cultivating these exquisite blooms, and encourage many more people to try their hand at growing the world’s most beautiful flowers".

The Festival of Orchids will take place from 0930 – 1700hrs each day. Tickets, giving entry to the grounds and Palace State Rooms, cost £7.20 per adult, £4.20 per child, Family Tickets £23. For further information from Scone Palace, tel 01738 552300, email visits@scone-palace.co.uk, or visit the website http://www.scone-palace.co.uk