Man who got stone to Scotland backs us Michael Forsyth says our campaign to bring artefact to Perth is a‘great idea’
The man responsible for bringing the Stone of Destiny back to Scotland in 1996 has said the time is right to bring the relic back to Perthshire.
Michael Forsyth was secretary of state for Scotland when the decision was made to take the artefact to Edinburgh Castle.
But speaking to the PA as the end of the consultation on the future of the stone nears, the now Baron Forsyth of Drumlean said he believes the stone should return to Perthshire, calling it a “great idea”.
And he also revealed he wanted to take it to Scone in 1996, but security concerns scuppered his plans.
He said: “I personally was quite keen on the stone being returned to where it had originally came from and I visited the late Earl of Mansfield and took officials to Scone.
“One of the difficulties was the security of the stone and it was also thought it would not be appropriate for the stone to be something that would enable a private family to benefit from in terms of revenue from tourism.
“There was not a proper facility for managing it at Scone.
“After the consultation and a lot of consideration, I decided it should go to Edinburgh Castle and be displayed with the honours of Scotland. At the time, that ticked all the boxes in terms of security and also it was a publicly owned building.
“That’s how it got to be where it is.
“One very important point at the time was, for the stone to come back it would still need to travel back to England for any future coronation, so security was a really important issue.”
Despite those original concerns, Lord Forsyth believes Perth and Kinross’s bid has overcome all the obstacles and now provides the best place to see the Stone of Destiny.
He said: “I have seen the There is just a few days left for the people of Perth and Kinross to have their say on why the Stone of Destiny should be returned to the region.
The Scottish Government consultation will close on Thursday before a decision on the stone’s future is made. The PA is making one last push to make sure as many people have their say. We will be submitting our own response this week, but we need more people than ever to make their voices heard. Remember - you CAN make a difference and your voice WILL help the case. Go to https://consult.gov.scot/commissioners-for-the-safeguarding-of-theregalia/the-stone-of-destiny/ to make your views known. consultation documents and seen the proposal put forward by Perth and Kinross Council.
“It seems to me that it meets the criteria in terms of both security and also in providing a facility that will give what is a very important piece of our history the representation and display it deserves.
“I agree that the current display in Edinburgh Castle is not ideal, although I believe Historic Environment Scotland have plans to improve on that.
“Edinburgh Castle, which in my opinion is not as good as Stirling Castle, already attracts a large number of visitors on its own merits, so I think it is a great idea to move it to Perth.
“People coming to Scotland can visit the castles at Edinburgh and Stirling and then go on to Perth to see the stone.
“If it can be executed and everything is in place, it would be a huge boost to tourism in Perth.”
Lord Forsyth also addressed suggestions on whether the stone is the original, saying: “There is some argument over whether this is the original stone.
“What we know for certain is it is the stone taken by Edward in 1296.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser hailed Lord Forsyth’s intervention.
He said: “It’s very significant that the politician mostly responsible for returning the Stone of Destiny to Scotland is now supportive of the campaign to have it brought back to Perth.
“Even the man who wanted it to go to Edinburgh Castle in the first place now believes it’s time for the stone to be moved. “I think this will be a very welcome boost to the campaign to bring the stone home.”