SCONE Palace is going back to its roots as it plays host to the world championships for full- contact medieval combat – a sport rising in popularity around the world.

The historic visitor attraction near Perth, known for being the crowning place of medieval kings, will be part of a real-life Game of Thrones when it hosts the International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships next May 10-13.

Just to get visitors in the mood, Scone Palace will host the UK’s premier full-contact medieval battle group for a day of duelling, team fights, archery and a medieval military encampment on Saturday July 29 to coincide with the broadcast of the seventh season of the popular TV series Game of Thrones.

Heather McArthur, sales and events manager for Scone Palace, said: “We’re thrilled to be adding Battle Heritage to our line-up of events this year at Scone Palace, and we feel that this is the perfect setting for next year’s International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships.

“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.”