Stone of Destiny should be reunited with ‘missing’ fragment in Scotland, says MP

Pete Wishart has said a shard, believed to be from the stone, should be replaced when the artefact relocates to Perth Museum.
The Stone of Destiny is to be housed in Perth Museum (Susannah Ireland/PA)
PA Archive
Neil Pooran9 January 2024
WEST END FINAL

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A “missing” fragment of the Stone of Destiny kept at the SNP’s headquarters should be moved to Perth Museum when the artefact is relocated there later this year, an MP has suggested.

The SNP’s Pete Wishart said the ancient stone should be “displayed in its entirety” when it moves from its current home in Edinburgh Castle.

The fragment is said to be a “very, very small” chip from the sandstone block, which has been used in ceremonies to crown Scottish monarchs for centuries.

Recently released Scottish Government documents revealed that, in 2008, former first minister Alex Salmond was given a chip said to come from the stone by the late Sir Neil MacCormick.

Sir Neil’s father, John MacCormick, was among a group of independence-supporting students who removed the stone from Westminster Abbey in 1950.

During the move to Arbroath, the stone was discovered to be in two parts.

The fragment is said to have been created then but the SNP says its provenance has not been completely established.

However, the party said the stone ship has been held securely for the past 15 years and had never been considered lost.

In 2008, the First Minister was advised that Historic Scotland had not requested it back, so it has apparently stayed in a cupboard in the SNP’s HQ.

Later this year, the 125 kilo block will be moved to Perth Museum to form the centrepiece of a £26.5 million redevelopment.

The stone was associated with royal inaugurations at Scone, at nearby Perth, before it was taken to Westminster Abbey in London as war loot by King Edward I.

Mr Wishart, who represents Perth and North Perthshire, said: “The Stone of Scone is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most iconic artefacts, and its arrival at Perth Museum will mark the first time it has returned to its home region in over 700 years.

“This will be a huge moment for Perthshire, not just symbolically, but economically too.”

He added: “In order to maximise the opportunity that the museum presents for the city, and to honour the stone’s long awaited return to the region, it is important for it to be displayed in its entirety.

“As such, I very much hope that the missing piece can be given to the museum ahead of its opening in March.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the First Minister’s official spokesman was asked about the fragment.

He said that in 2008 civil servants had advised there was no need to return the “very, very small fragment” to Historic Scotland, the keepers of the artefact, as they had not requested it.

The Stone of Destiny was moved to Edinburgh Castle in 1996 and was used in the coronation of King Charles last year.

When the artefact was moved south to be installed in the Coronation Chair, it was piped out of Edinburgh Castle in a special ceremony organised by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms.

The SNP said the party’s chief executive, Murray Foote, would respond to a letter from Mr Wishart in due course.

A spokeswoman said: “The SNP has a small stone chip in storage.

“The fragment – gifted to the party by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick – has been held securely by the SNP for the past 15 years and has never been considered lost at any point.”

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