People of Perth: It’s our Destiny
Locals keen to see iconic relic back in Fair City
The Stone of Destiny could attract thousands of visitors to the area The people of Perth have issued a rallying cry that the Stone of Destiny should be brought to the city.
The PA revealed on Friday that councillors were determined to bring the iconic relic back to Perthshire as a centrepiece of the revamped City Hall.
It is estimated the stone could attract thousands of visitors to the area.
We took to the streets of the Fair City to find out what the public thought of the plans.
Currently, the Stone of Destiny, which during medieval times was used to crown the Scottish kings at Scone Palace, sits on display in Edinburgh Castle.
(64) from Perth said: “It would be brilliant for the Stone of Destiny to be in the centre of Perth. If it brings sustainability to the City Hall with all the other added features, then bring it on.
“However, I think it is one hell of a feat, so we would be really extremely lucky and fortunate to get it so I am not hopeful. Edinburgh is the capital, so it would be a difficult call to make.”
(75) from Perth said it could make the City Hall a “huge attraction”. He added: “It would be great if the stone could come back as it is the nearest it will get to Scone and it would really set off the redevelopment of the City Hall.”
“Scone does not have the facilities out there for it so it should be brought back to Perth.
“We were in Edinburgh last year up at the castle and there was a huge crowd at the stone so I don’t think they will give it up.”
from Perth said: “We were in Scone Palace two weeks ago to see the snowdrops and we will go again soon.
“The Stone of Destiny is in Edinburgh right now, but I reckon it should be brought back to Scone because that is where all of our kings were coronated.
“However putting it in Perth City Hall is definitely a good idea.”
(63) said such an attraction in the city centre could bring in an international crowd and provide economic benefits to the Fair City.
He said: “Its natural place should be Scone Palace because that is where it came from, but the most economic benefit would be to bring it to Perth City Hall - and that could be on an international basis because it is a very famous stone.
“Bizarrely, when I was a child one of my teachers at Gairloch Primary School was Kay Matheson, one of those who stole the stone.”
(45) said she hopes it will create a tourist attraction in the centre of Perth: “The stone really should be in Scone if it were to come back here because Perth is not the same as Scone. But, it is a good idea. I think it would be a good tourist attraction.” Peter Hood Alister Walker Maureen Stewart Dougie Yeats