Stone verdict expected in the next few weeks
An announcement on whether or not the Stone of Destiny will be moved to Perth could be made next month.
Hopes are high for the iconic relic to come to the Fair City, where it will become the centrepiece of a new visual arts museum being created in the old Perth City Hall.
Last year, the Commissioners of the Regalia - who are responsible for the Stone of Destiny - ran a detailed public consultation on whether or not the stone should be moved to Perth - or remain in Edinburgh Castle.
Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said he expects a decision to be made at some point in February.
Work on transforming the Perth City Hall building into a museum is due to get underway in a matter of weeks.
Speaking to the PA, Cllr Lyle said the new museum should attract a “significant” number of visitors to the city.
He said: “Hopefully the city hall, when it opens, will attract a significant number of visitors, whether or not we have the Stone of Destiny.
“I think an announcement will be made by the end of February.”
Cllr Lyle also thanked council staff for their work in trying to get the stone returned to its rightful home of Perthshire: “All I can say is we have tried incredibly hard and left no stone unturned in the process.
“I commend the officers for their efforts, but the decision is not in our hands now.”
The PA itself ran a campaign called ‘It is Our Destiny’ to call for the stone to be returned to Perth.
The campaign got the backing of locals, politicians, local businesses around the city hotel and Hollywood superstar Ewan McGregor.
As the crowning place of Scottish kings, the stone had once been housed on Moot Hill in nearby Scone, before being taken to London where it stayed for hundreds of years.
Since 1996, the stone has been on display with the crown jewels at Edinburgh Castle.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “The commissioners are considering their decision relating to the location of the Stone of Destiny.
“A decision will be announced in due course.”