Back our campaign to bring The Stone back to Fair City
It’s so important that your voice is heard – you can make a difference
The consultation, which is expected to last six weeks, is being hosted by the Commissioners for the Regalia and the Scottish Government – with the Queen herself having the final say on where the stone will go.
Another bid to keep the stone at Edinburgh Castle is also being considered.
PA editor Douglas Dickie said: “There is no doubt about it – the Stone of Destiny belongs in Perthshire.
“At Edinburgh Castle, it is just part of a wider collection. In the Fair City, it would be given the prominence it deserves as part of the spectacular £23 million museum at the former city hall.
“Perhaps most importantly, it would be free for the public to view what is an integral part of our past.
“It is also only right that artefacts such as this are spread throughout the country.
“Scotland has such a rich history and heritage that should not be confined to the centre of Edinburgh.
“We are appealing to readers to get involved – it is so important that your voice is heard and you really can make a difference.
“I am sure that, with your support, we can help make sure Her Majesty makes the right decision.”
The new city hall is expected to open in early 2022 and work has already started on transforming the building.
Funding for the project is part of the £700m Tay Cities Deal, which is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments and regional partners.
There, it would be free for residents and visitors alike to visit the Stone of Destiny, in an accessible city centre public building just two miles from its original home at Scone.
At the city hall the wider significance of the stone can be revealed by displaying it alongside one of the UK’s oldest and most important public collections.
Visitors would enter the centrepiece display, the Stone Pavilion, to be introduced to the stone through a short film sweeping through time to witness how Scotland was born from the Perthshire landscape.
The film will also tell the life story of the stone from its mythic origins to its role in early kingship ceremonies, and its creation as a powerful symbol of nationhood and monarchy which remains today.
After the film, visitors will see the Stone of Destiny.
Displayed in a customdesigned secure case, the stone will be animated with light and sound, recreating the 13th century crowning of Alexander III.
Council leaderMurray Lyle said: “The Stone of Destiny is one of the UK’s most important cultural objects.
“Here in Perth we can display it in a context as close to its original home at Scone as possible and within reach of millions of Scottish people who live outside the central belt – meeting the aspiration of Scotland’s national heritage strategy to make our cultural heritage open to everyone.” Charles Kinnoull, chair of Culture Perth and Kinross, the independent charity which operates museums on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “Culture Perth and Kinross is the steward of one of the UK’s oldest and most important museum collections and we have significant experience in caring for museum objects as precious and important as the Stone of Destiny.
“People can be confident it will be safe and secure in Perth.”
Cllr Dave Doogan, leader of the opposition at the council, also said: “This consultation is in my view the final hurdle which will show that the Stone of Destiny will be best preserved, protected and presented here in Perth.
“I was present at the Perth City Development Board meeting some five years ago where we first discussed seeking to repatriate the Stone to Perthshire so it’s clearly been a long road to get to this pivotal juncture.
“I call on as many people as possible to engage with the government’s consultation highlighting the positive case for the stone’s return to Perth.”
You can share your views on the location of the Stone of Destiny by going online to https://consult.gov.scot
You can also let us know what you think by emailing us or by using the hashtag #itisourdestiny on social media.