Royal discovery would be ‘gold dust’ for city
It could be bigger than Richard III
The team behind a bid to discover the final resting place of James I of Scotland reckon the project could mean a half a billion pound boost for Perth.
James I was murdered in the city along with his wife Joan Beaufort in 1437.
A project to find his charterhouse, which is where he was buried, called X-Marks The Spot is currently being undertaken by a host of partners, led by Professor Richard Oram at the University of Stirling.
The grave is also thought to contain the remains of Margaret Tudor - wife to James IV and grandmother to Mary Queen of Scots, whose son James VI also became King of England, thus uniting the crowns,creating a royal union over 100 years before the poltical one.
It is believed the discovery will divert tourism from places like Edinburgh and Stirling and rival the impact of when Richard III’s bones were found in a car park in Leicester.
That created half a billion pound in tourism and media interest and £60 million in direct cash for Leicester council, as well as creating 1000 jobs.
It is even hoped the discovery will lead to documentaries and dramatic interpretations of James’s life, while James will also feature prominently at the new museum being opened in the old city hall, which will hopefully have the Stone of Destiny as a centrepiece
Paul Wilson, one of the project directors, told the PA: “Perth has an epic history and, funding permitting, we intend to commence archaeology to
Actors Matt Roberts and Flora Hamilton stepped into the roles of King James I and Joan Beaufort for a performance in Perth earlier this year, and it is hoped the project will prompt other dramatic interpretations of the king tantalisingly reveal the collective tomb of James I, Joan Queen of Scots (James I’s wife) and Margaret Tudor (Queen of Scots).
“Margaret Tudor was James IV’s wife, and was sister to King Henry VIII of England - both of whom were the children of Henry VII.
“Fortuitously for us, Henry VII killed Richard III (the king in the car park) who was discovered in Leicester. A nice piece of synergy, and the basis for a much bigger story of Scottish royal political dominance in Great Britain.
“The importance of Margaret Tudor cannot be overlooked as she is the grandmother to Mary Queen of Scots, who’s son James VI became King of England, and who created what is now the UK.
“Having both Stewarts and Tudors in the same grave is gold dust that will attract astronomical international interest.
“All in all, this is a compelling, dramatic and unique story.
“We expect the excavations and archaeology to attract more inward investment to Perth than Richard III did for Leicester - which was half a billion in tourism/media interest and £60m in direct cash to Leicester council.”
It is hoped the project will increase interest in James and lead to other media such as films and TV shows about the man who played such a pivotal role in Scottish history.
At least half of Scottish tourism is generated from screen media with the likes of Outlander and Outlaw King already drawing people to Perthshire. A digital recreation of the charterhouse will help reach people around the world while technology such as augmented reality and virtual reality will play a key role.
Paul added: “Our story is about real people, who lived in real places in Perth, and as the longest ruling royal dynasty, of whom Queen Elizabeth II is a direct blood descendent.
“The Stewarts were very much more violent and scheming than any of the characters we see in todays films / TV series.
“With 55m worldwide/overseas Scots, the world’s spotlight will focus on Perth. As we say on our website: ‘This will become a part of Scotland’s national story’.
“We estimate that our project will be the single-most important discovery for Perth in modern times, and in terms of tourism, business, national education and third party products (books/film and TV/gaming) will far outstrip Richard III.
“It will divert tourism on a capital scale from Edinburgh and Stirling, and will be the principal driver, via screen and tourism, for huge economic regeneration for Perth.”