The Stone of Destiny is returning to Perth after more than 700 years of absence.
On Thursday last week the “Beating Retreat ceremony” was held for the Stone, led down by a military band alongside the Castle Esplanade.
The artefact has been on display inside Edinburgh Castle since 1996 and was originally used as part of coronation ceremonies for Scottish monarchs.
It was announced in December 2020 that the Stone was to be given a new home. The Late Queen Elizabeth had given her approval for the Stone’s relocation.
First Minister Humza Yousaf commented: “This will be the first time that the stone will return to Perthshire in over 700 years.”
“And it will form the magnificent centre piece of the fantastic new Perth Museum – with the stone being free for all to visit.”
Ahead of the ceremony last week, Lord Lyon said it would be a “farewell” for the stone – “marking something that’s significant”.
After King Edward I of England won a decisive victory over the Scots at Dunbar in 1296, forcing the Scottish king John Balliol to abdicate, Edward gave instructions for the Stone to be removed from Perth, making it a trophy of his conquest.
From then on the Stone was housed in a specially built chair in Westminster Abbey, used for the coronation of English monarchs.
A well-known episode concerning the Stone took place at Christmas in 1950, when four Scottish students stole it and took it back to Scotland. It was returned to Westminster four months after its removal.
This historically significant artefact was eventually returned to Scotland in 1996, installed in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle.
Historic Environment Scotland [HES], who cares for the Stone, said over 35 million people had visited Edinburgh Castle since it went on display there in 1996.
A spokesperson for HES said: “We’ve been delighted to house the Stone at Edinburgh Castle for over 25 years, and we’re sure visitors will enjoy this new chapter in its long history.”
“Edinburgh Castle” by Craigyc is licensed under CC BY 2.0.