The Murray Suite
Welcome to the Murray Suite where we celebrate our 60th Anniversary of Palace Opening and in particular the three generations of the family that have led this initiative. Each of the portraits have a story to tell. Starting with the beautiful portrait above the fireplace of Dorothea Carnegie, wife of the 7th
Earl of Mansfield, and working clockwise around the room.
Dorothea Helena Murray, Countess of Mansfield (1906-1985)
Portrait of Dorothea, Countess of Mansfield, by Douglas Anderson in 1968, wearing a white ball dress and Murray of Tullibardine sash. She is standing in a room at the Palace, looking out the window with one of her much-loved poodles.
Dorothea was the driving force behind the opening of Scone Palace to the public for the first time in 1966. In 1956 the Palace was in a neglected condition, still recovering from use as a girls’ school during wartime. Her husband and her committed 10 years of their lives and great resource to restoring the Palace to its former glory as both a family home and preparing it to be, and launching it as, a tourism attraction. The Palace welcomed 30,000 visitors in its first year and was one of the first privately operated historic houses in Scotland. Dorothea devoted herself to revitalising the Palace, spearheading restoration, reorganising and displaying the collection, and imaginative public engagement.
Dorothea Helena Carnegie was born on 6th August 1906 in Scotland to Sir Lancelot Douglas Carnegie and Marion Alice de Gournay Barclay. Sir Lancelot was the second son of the 9th Earl of Southesk and grandson through his mother to the 6th Earl of Dunmore (another cadet branch of the Murray clan).
She grew up in multiple different countries alongside her siblings Mariota Susan Carnegie and Captain James Murray Carnegie, in an environment defined by public service, tradition, and diplomatic ties—her father being a distinguished British diplomat serving with distinction in Madrid, St Petersburg, Vienna, Paris, Beijing and Lisbon. Dorothea’s mother was a member of the Gurney banking family.
On 19th July 1928, Dorothea married Mungo David Malcolm Murray, who would later become the 7th Earl of Mansfield. Following her husband’s succession, she was formally styled Countess of Mansfield on 14th March 1935.
As Countess, Dorothea took on the traditional responsibilities associated with her rank – supporting the family estate, participating in public and ceremonial duties, and representing the Mansfield lineage in cultural and social life. She coordinated the activities of the Red Cross in Perthshire during WWII and actively supported many youth, arts and charitable organisations such as the Save the Children Fund. She was a founding member and president of the Perth Festival of Arts.
Dorothea and Mungo had three children:
William David Mungo James Murray, later the 8th Earl of Mansfield (b. 1930 – d. 2015)
Lady Malvina Dorothea Murray (b. 27th January 1936)
Lady Mariota Cecilia Murray (b. 16th January 1945 – d. 25th May 2001)
Dorothea lived a long life that bridged the traditions of the Victorian‑influenced Edwardian era and the dramatic cultural transformations of the 20th century. She died in 1985 on holiday in Jamaica at the age of 79.
Mungo David, 7th Earl of Mansfield (1900-1971)
“Vote for Scone” – an election poster used to promote the candidacy of Mungo Murray, Lord Scone, ahead of the 1931 election. He succeeded to the title of 7th Earl of Mansfield on 14th March 1935 and at that point joined the House of Lords.
Born 9th August 1900 as Mungo David Malcolm Murray on the billiard table in a farmhouse to the north-west of Perth at Moneydie. He was the only child of the Hon. Alan David Murray, later 6th Earl of Mansfield, and Margaret Helen Mary MacGregor. Margaret was daughter of Rear-Admiral Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, 21st Chief of Clan Gregor, and Lady Helen Laura McDonnell, daughter of the 4th Earl of Antrim.
His father, Alan, was the third son of five and thus an unlikely inheritor of the Earldom. It took the sad premature deaths of two of Mungo’s uncles, William, 5th Earl of Mansfield, and the Hon. Colonel Andrew Murray, for his father to become the 6th Earl of Mansfield in 1906. Mungo was styled as Lord Scone, the first time this title had been used by the family for centuries. It was brought back into use as a mark of respect for the previous holders of the titles Lord Stormont and Lord Balvaird – Mungo’s grandfather and uncle – both having died prematurely bringing great sadness to the family.
He was educated at home on the estate with many other local children forming lifelong friendships, even creating a “gang” called the “Scallywags”. He followed in the footsteps of his ancestors by studying at Christ Church, Oxford, luckily being just too young to serve in WWI – three first cousins however were sadly killed in this conflict. He gained the rank of Lieutenant in the service of the 6th/7th Battalion, Black Watch.
He married Dorothea (see above) and held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Perth and Kinross between 1931 and 1935, standing as a Scottish Unionist Party candidate.
In 1933 he was one of eleven people, involved in the appeal that led to the foundation of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), an organisation for the study of birds in the British Isles, of which he became the Founding Chairman. He was invested as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (Scotland) plus the Linnean, Zoological, and Royal Horticultural Societies. He was Governor of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture from 1925 to 1930. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Perthshire and Dumfriesshire and served as a Community Policeman in his spare time. In 1947 he held the office of Deputy-Lieutenant (D.L.) of Dumfriesshire and was Brigadier of the Royal Company of Archers. He served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1961 to 1962 and held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Perthshire between 1960-71. He died on 2nd September 1971.
William David Mungo James Murray, 8th Earl of Mansfield (1930-2015)
Portrait of the 8th Earl of Mansfield, by Andrew Festing in 1985, wearing a green velvet smoking jacket and Murray of Tullibardine tartan trews. He is sat at his desk with his ministerial box or “Red Box” in front of him. As seen in the Library, these iconic, lead-lined despatch boxes are covered in red leather and used by British Government ministers and the monarch to transport sensitive government papers.
William David Mungo James Murray was born on 7th July 1930, the only son of Mungo Murray, 7th Earl of Mansfield, and Dorothea Helena Carnegie, daughter of Sir Lancelot Carnegie. He was styled Lord Stormont from 1935 until his succession in 1971. Murray was educated at Eton College, followed by Christ Church, Oxford, where he read law. From 1949 to 1950, he did national service with the Scots Guards in Malaya, an experience that shaped his leadership style and lifelong connection to military service. He was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1958 and practiced as a barrister until 1971, developing a successful and wide‑ranging common‑law practice.
Upon his father’s death in 1971, Murray succeeded as:
8th Earl of Mansfield in Nottingham
7th Earl of Mansfield in Middlesex
13th Lord Scone
11th Lord Balvaird
Feudal Baron of Balvaird
These combined titles reflect the unification of two historic earldoms dating from 1776 and 1792.
The Earl pursued an active political life as a Conservative politician. He was one of the first British Delegates to the European Parliament from 1973–1975 and Opposition Spokesman in the House of Lords from 1975–1979. He served as a Conservative Government Minister: firstly, as Minister of State, Scottish Office (1979–1983), secondly as Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (1983–1984). Closer to home in Scotland, he was appointed Honorary Sheriff of Perthshire (1974), Justice of the Peace (1975) and Deputy Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross (1980).
Having quit politics due to poor health, he served as the First Commissioner of the Crown Estate from 1985 to 1995. In this role he was responsible for overseeing a multibillion-pound portfolio of rural land, coastal seabeds, and urban properties.
As custodian of Scone Palace, he transformed the estate into a thriving visitor attraction and significantly modernized estate operations.
On 19th December 1955, Murray married Pamela Joan Foster. They had three children:
Alexander David Mungo Murray, later 9th Earl of Mansfield (b. 1956)
Lady Georgina Dorothea Mary Murray (b. 1967)
Hon. James William Murray (b. 1969)
The Earl remained a prominent figure in Scottish public life, deeply involved in preserving the heritage of Scone Palace. He died on 21st October 2015, aged 85, at Logie House in Perthshire.
Lady Laura Cecilia Parker, Countess of Antrim (1809-1883)
Portrait of Laura Cecilia, wife of Hugh Seymour MacDonnell, 9th Earl of Antrim, three quarter length portrait by Edwin Long RA wearing an ermine trimmed purple stole and a suite of jet jewellery. A “very good likeness” according to onlookers.
Lady Parker was born in 1809. She was the daughter of Thomas Parker, 5th Earl of Macclesfield, and second wife to Hugh Seymour McDonnell, 4th Earl of Antrim whom she married in 1836. When first married to McDonnell, her married name was Kerr. Just 6 weeks later, it changed to McDonnell.
The Countess was grandmother to Margaret Helen Mary MacGregor, wife of the 6th
Earl of Mansfield. The Earl and Countess had one daughter - Lady Helen Laura McDonnell (1837–1922), who married Sir Malcolm Murray-MacGregor, 4th Baronet, son of Sir John Murray-MacGregor and the former Mary Charlotte Hardy (youngest daughter of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet of Trafalgar fame), in 1864.
The Earl of Antrim died at Glenarm Castle on 19th July 1855 and was buried at Bonamargy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. As he died without male issue, the earldom passed to his younger brother, Mark McDonnell. His widow, the dowager Countess of Antrim, died at Beaufort Gardens, South Kensington, London, on 26th January 1883.
Pamela Joan Foster Murray, Countess of Mansfield (1934-2022)
Portrait of Pamela, Lady Stormont, later Countess of Mansfield, in a pink dress, by Douglas Anderson in 1958.
Pamela Joan Foster, later Countess of Mansfield, was born on 23rd November 1934 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, to Wilfred Neill Foster, an oil executive, and his wife Millicent Agnes Mary Duckham whose family founded Duckham’s Oil. Pamela spent her early childhood partly in the Caribbean before returning to Britain in the late 1930s with her brother Neil. During the Second World War, she was evacuated to Canada, while her mother remained in Britain as a French‑speaking specialist serving at Bletchley Park.
In 1955, Pamela married William David Mungo James Murray, then Viscount Stormont and later 8th Earl of Mansfield. Her husband inherited the earldom in 1971, making her Countess of Mansfield, after which the couple moved permanently to Scone Palace.
Pamela inherited the position of “chatelaine” from her mother-in-law and led the operation for over three decades with considerable verve and passion. Heavily burdened by death duties, Pamela spearheaded further restoration work, new exhibitions and events. She enhanced the Palace’s interiors, revived its gardens, curated historic artworks, and introduced local and international marketing initiatives that ultimately transformed Scone into one of Scotland’s most visited stately homes. She and her husband also took an active role in local conservation efforts and the stewardship of the wider Perthshire countryside.
One of the Countess’s notable cultural projects was the rediscovery and authentication of the famous portrait of Dido Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray, long part of the family’s collection.
After her husband’s death in 2015, she became the Dowager Countess of Mansfield and died peacefully on 2nd October 2022, aged 87.
Alexander David Mungo Murray, 9th Earl of Mansfield (1956- )
Portrait by Ludmilla Von Trapp, wife of Robert Trapp, a member of the famous singing Austrian family. Alexander was 8 years old.
Born on 17th October 1956. After the death of his grandfather, he was styled as Viscount Stormont, before succeeding his father in 2015 to become the 9th and present Earl of Mansfield. Married Sophia Mary Veronica Ashbrooke in 1985 in London at the Brompton Oratory. They have four children:
Lady Isabella Mary Alexandra Murray (b. 1987)
William Philip David Mungo Murray, Viscount Stormont (b. 1988)
Lady Iona Margaret Sophia Murray, later Spink (b. 1992)
Lady Louisa Frederica Olivia Murray (b. 1996)
Alexander, called Mungo by his family and friends, moved with his family to live on the estate in 1992. He devoted himself to the sustainable renewal of the business representing estate interests on multiple industry forums: Timber Growers Association Committee, Tay Salmon Fisheries Board and Historic Houses Scottish Council. He is an enthusiastic beekeeper and worked for Christies Auction House as a Generalist with a special interest in the Jacobites.
Alan David Murray, 6th Earl of Mansfield (1864–1935)
Portrait of a young boy in archers’ uniform, signed and dated A.F.Shenton 9/6/99. It was always presumed that this was an image of a young Alan Murray, but the 1899 date makes this impossible, unless this is a copy of an earlier portrait. The subject of this portrait is thus still to be fully verified.
Alan David Murray was born on 25th October 1864 in the City of Westminster, Greater London. He was the son of William David Murray, Viscount Stormont (1835–1893), and Emily Louisa MacGregor, daughter of Sir John Athol Bannatyne MacGregor, 3rd Baronet.
He was the younger brother of William David Murray, 4th & 5th Earl of Mansfield, and succeeded to both the 5th Earl of Mansfield (1776 creation) and 6th Earl of Mansfield (1792 creation) titles.
Alan Murray entered military life early and gained the rank of Lieutenant in the Black Watch, one of Scotland’s most distinguished Highland regiments. He later served in ceremonial and administrative capacities within Scottish royal and civic traditions, most notably holding the office of Gentlemen Usher of the Green Rod (1895-1917) and was a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. He was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Perthshire Volunteer Regiment in 1917-18. He held the office of Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Perthshire. These roles underline his ongoing engagement in national service and ceremonial duties typical of a peer of his standing.
Alan Murray married Margaret Helen Mary MacGregor on 20th April 1899, his cousin and daughter of Admiral Sir Malcolm MacGregor, 4th Baronet and Lady Helen Laura McDonnell. They had one son:
Mungo David Malcolm Murray, born 9th August 1900, later 7th Earl of Mansfield.
Upon the death of his elder brother in 1906, Alan succeeded to multiple hereditary titles, becoming:
5th Earl of Mansfield (1776 creation)
6th Earl of Mansfield (1792 creation)
Lord Balvaird
Viscount Stormont (inherited courtesy style)
Alan played amateur football as a goalkeeper at the highest level for Corinthians FC in London. He was given an international call-up by England but politely declined to play as he was a Scotsman. He played for the Gentlemen of Ireland’s Cricket XI (his grandmother was Irish). Alan David Murray died on 14th
March 1935 at the age of 70.
Lady Emily Murray, Marchioness of Hertford (1816–1902)
Portrait of Lady Emily Murray by Sir John Watson Gordon in 1827 aged 11.
Lady Emily Murray, later Emily Seymour, Marchioness of Hertford, was born on 22nd November 1816 to David William Murray, 3rd Earl of Mansfield, and his wife Frederica Markham.
On 9th May 1839, she married Francis George Hugh Seymour, who later became the 5th Marquess of Hertford after inheriting the title from his cousin. Although she married him decades before he succeeded to the marquessate, Emily’s status elevated with her husband’s accession, and she became Marchioness of Hertford. The couple resided chiefly at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, the Hertford family seat.
Lady Emily and the Marquess had ten children, many of whom continued prominent aristocratic and military traditions. Their children included:
Hugh de Grey Seymour, later 6th Marquess of Hertford
Lady Horatia Elizabeth Seymour
Lady Florence Catherine Seymour
Lord Albert Charles Seymour
Lord Ernest James Seymour, among others.
After the death of her husband in 1884, following a fall from a horse at Ragley Hall, Lady Emily became the Dowager Marchioness of Hertford. She remained an active and respected figure within aristocratic society. Records show she was a subscriber to St George’s Hospital in 1894, highlighting her engagement in philanthropic activities.
Lady Emily died on 24th June 1902, aged 86, at Brooklands Manor, Westcott, Surrey. She was laid to rest in Warwickshire.
Sophy Mary Veronica Murray, Countess of Mansfield (1959- )
Portrait of Sophy, Countess of Mansfield, standing in the State Drawing Room of Scone Palace, by Peregrine Heathcote in 1998.
Born Sophia Mary Veronica Ashbrooke on 22nd January 1959, and married to Alexander Murray, 9th Earl of Mansfield. Lady Mansfield was born to Philip Biden Derwent Ashbrooke and Veronica Philippa Stourton.
In 1985, she married Alexander David Mungo Murray, who would later become the 9th Earl of Mansfield in 2015, at which point Sophy formally assumed the title Countess of Mansfield. As Countess, she has played a leading role in representing the family, supporting the preservation and stewardship of Scone Palace, and building the family business. She encouraged and helped the business adapt to host and manage larger scale events such as the Scone Palace Garden Fair and appeared regularly in heritage media and interviews discussing the challenges and responsibilities of maintaining a historic house.
A notable public appearance includes her conversation with the American Viscountess, Julie Montagu, where Lady Mansfield spoke about her life at Scone, the stewardship of its collections, and the work involved in keeping the estate thriving for future generations.
Lord & Lady Mansfield have four children:
William Murray, Viscount Stormont, heir apparent to the Earldom of Mansfield.
Lady Isabella Murray, Lady Iona Murray Spink, and Lady Louisa Murray.
They also have 4 grandchildren – Helier, Beatrice, Alexander and Frederica.