
Around 1,500 years ago it was the capital of the Picts – since then it has seen the crowning of various Scottish kings, including Robert the Bruce.

And this week, historic fighting skills are again at the fore at Scone Palace in Perthshire, where a touch of Braveheart has definitely been in evidence. The stately home has welcomed 500 fierce-looking competitors representing 31 countries, who are battling over four days to be crowned medieval combat champions.

Qualities needed to succeed in this event, the International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships, include power, passion, pride, comradery and – most importantly – lots of adrenaline.

Having good quality shields and the ability to manoeuvre in armour also helps, although participants, who engage in full contact fighting, use blunted weapons rather than sharp swords. Combatants use historically accurate reproduction medieval and early modern armour.

The battles take place in a traditional arena, called a ‘list’, where one-on-one fights between two teams of 16 slug it out.

Held annually, the world championship draws medieval-kitted competitors from across the globe including New Zealand, Russia, Canada, Europe, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the United States.

Scone Palace said the event is the largest event of its type to take place in the UK. It has been organised by the International Medieval Combat Federation, a global historical full contact sport fighting revival movement.

Visitors to the championship, which ends on May 13, can also enjoy artisan street refreshments, music, and retailers selling medieval-themed ware. There are also falconry and archery events.

Competitors take part in the International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships at Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the crowning place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace for the IMCF World Championships which has 500 competitors and officials from all over the world, from the UK to as far afield as Australia, South Africa and Mexico

A combination of pictures shows Santos Sanchez, 29, a heating and air conditioning technician from the US, posing in his armour with visor up (left) and visor down at the 2018 International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships (IMCF) at Scone Palace, Perthshire, Scotland

Feeling the heat: Armoured competitors rest at the IMCF World Championships at Scone Palace, which has closed its palace and grounds until Monday May 14 due to the international event taking place this week in Scotland

Krzysztof Kamil Kruczynski, 34, a sound technician from Poland, poses in his armour with a long-handled axe at Scone Palace. He and fellow armoured competitors from across the globe are armed with historically accurate representations of medieval weapons for the 5th annual IMCF World Championships to compete in historical medieval combat competitions

Emil Ralph, 25, a security guard from Sweden, poses in his armour with a mace and shield at the competition, as he and other medieval-themed fighters take part in three different one-on-one categories and national teams face off in four different melee categories

Competitors are seen before the start of the 10 v 10 men's melee competition. Pride, passion, skill and comradery are all essential qualities for this historic sporting event which guarantees to be a great day out for all, says Scone Palace

A combination of pictures created on May 10 shows Timo Teivonen, 48, a plumber from Finland, posing in his armour with his long-handled axe visor up (left) and visor down at the 2018 International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships (IMCF) at Scone Palace, Scotland. The event runs for four days, until May 13

Battling it out in the arena: These world championships are held annually and attract competitors from across the globe including Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Russia, Japan and Europe

A member of the USA melee team waves a national flag. Alongside the main event, there is a host of other entertainment throughout the day for visitors to enjoy. These include a selection of local artisan street food and drink, music, medieval retailers, along with stalls selling replica and toy swords, helmets and figurines. Falconry, archery, children's games are also on offer

Jacob Pothecary, 25, a hospitality worker from Scotland, pictured left, poses in his armour with his axe, while Ian Duncan, 36, a highway maintenance worker from Canada, also dons medieval-themed armour ahead of the men's battles

Some 1,500 years ago it was the capital of the Picts. In the intervening centuries, Scotland's Scone Palace has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce. This week, the focus on medieval combat skills are again at the fore, as competitors slug it out in front of thousands of spectators