‘Tell us our Destiny’ is leader’s plea to FM
Perth and Kinross Council’s leader has appealed to first minister Nicola Sturgeon to make an announcement about the Stone of Destiny.
And one Perth and Kinross councillor has said he cannot see anything other than the Stone of Destiny bringing tourists to Perth in this current economic climate.
The people of Perthshire have waited almost a year to hear if the artefact will stay in Edinburgh or come home.
The Perthshire relic is currently displayed alongside the crown jewels at Edinburgh Castle. Historic Environment Scotland says it should stay there but Perth and Kinross Council wants to make it the crowning glory of its city hall project.
A six-week consultation ended on September 19, 2019 and the people of Perthshire have been left waiting for a decision ever since.
Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor and cyclist Mark Beaumont were among the stars who backed the Perthshire
Advertiser’s It is Our Destiny campaign to bring the Stone of Destiny home.
And last week we reported that traders in the city centre were desperate to see the stone come back to Perthshire as they struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conservative leader Cllr Murray Lyle told the PA: “We are spending a large amount of council money and we have funding from the Tay Cities Deal which is all predicated on the Stone of Destiny coming to Perth.”
He said the council would still
Council leader Murray Lyle supported the PA’s It is Our Destiny campaign, and he says a decision on the Stone fo Destiny is needed as soon as possible
finish work on Perth City Hall if it was not given the Stone of Destiny but said having the historic stone as its centrepiece would be “transformational.”
He added: “I appeal to the first minister to make an announcement as soon as possible.”
Two more Perth and Kinross councillors have voiced their desire for a decision.
SNP Strathallan councillor Tom Gray said he believes the Perth City Hall project is a “non-starter without it.”
And SNP Almond and Earn councillor Henry Anderson agrees. He said he could not see anything other than the Stone of Destiny bringing tourists to Perth.
He said: “I cannot see any alternative to the stone that would get tourists into Perth.
“With the prevailing economic climate, supporting our citizens will be the priority.”