‘Get our stone home for hall’s success’
Historic piece is the‘big hook’ scheme needs
Perth must get the Stone of Destiny back if the revamped Perth City Hall is to be a success.
That was the message from a number of councillors at a meeting of the full Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday, March 7.
At the meeting, elected members urged those in charge of renovating the iconic city hall to do more to make sure the stone can be given on loan to the city of Perth. Currently the stone is owned by The Queen and housed at Edinburgh Castle.
And they were told the stone could attract 160,000 visitors every year to the city.
Cllr Lewis Simpson, who represents the Scone area said the council need to put more pressure on those who have the stone if their bid to get the stone to Perth is to have any chance of success.
The Lib Dem representative said: “We have never been given a plausible excuse for not getting our stone back, and we shouldn’t have to suck up to people in high places just to get our stone.
“Although this redevelopment is for Perth, the whole of Perthshire will be included.”
As the ex-postmaster for Scone, Lewis Simpson also told the chambers about the central role the village’s Post Office had when the stone was stolen.
He added: “It is our stone, and we want it back. If we are unsuccessful, we need to find a better way to put the pressure on. Who says we can’t have it back?”
Fellow Lib Dem Willie Robertson also said: “There is a museum in Italy which is a major attraction. Thousands go to this museum just to see a 5000 year old man who was found in a glacier.
“That is why it is so important the Stone of Scone comes back to Perth and Kinross. We need a big hook that inspires people. We really need the stone back.”
Once the renovated city hall is opened in summer 2021, it is hoped 160,000 people every year will visit the new attraction. Fiona Robertson, the council’s head of culture says she expects 20,000 people to be coming specifically to see the Stone of Destiny.
The paper was approved unanimously by the councillors. The council leader Murray Lyle said: “The council has an agreed goal of developing Perth as a major cultural centre. This will build on not only the council’s own significant collections, but will attract other internationally renowned cultural attractions and exhibits to Perth.
“At the heart of this ambition is the development of the city hall as a major new museum attraction.
“This will not only provide a display area for a cultural icon we wish to
Mecanoo’s vision for Perth City Hall relocate here, but also to have the space to be able to accommodate major touring exhibition which our current facilities cannot provide.
“The completed facilities will provide a new experience, drawing in at least 160,000 visitors from across the world to the city and giving an alternative place to go when the weather dictates.”
We shouldn’t have to suck up to people in high places just to get our stone back