Politicians trying to derail Perth Stone of Destiny bid.

Capital politicians say the stone should stay at Edinburgh Castle but suggest Perth could be allowed to ‘borrow it’

Edinburgh politicians are trying to derail Perth’s Stone of Destiny campaign.

MSPs in the capital made “insulting” statements after the Scottish Government launched a six-week consultation to decide the fate of one of the Stone.

Perth and Kinross Council mounted a bid to reclaim it three years ago, and it is hoped it can take pride of place at the refurbished Perth City Hall.

However, the government received a counter-bid to keep the stone at Edinburgh Castle.

The public is now being urged to take part in the consultation before a final decision is taken by the Queen.

Edinburgh Southern Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said: “I don’t think we should be precious about it.”

He added: “And there may be some merit in it being on show in Perth.

“But the Stone of Destiny belongs with the honours of Scotland and we don’t want to see them permanently separated.”

Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs added: “It makes sense for people to see them all together in one place, and with the large numbers of people visiting Edinburgh Castle it seems the best place to have them.

“Perhaps Perth could borrow it for a bit.”

SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “I find the idea that Perth could borrow the stone from Edinburgh for a while to be pretty insulting really.

“In its current location, those wishing to see the stone have to pay a costly ticket price, and the significance of the Stone of Destiny can sometimes be lost in amongst all the other exhibits on display in Edinburgh Castle.

“I understand that Edinburgh-based MSPs have to be seen to be sticking up for their city, but I would encourage them to have a look at the proposals for the exhibition in Perth.

“I think if they looked at our plans, they would come to the conclusion that Perth is the right location.”

Local Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said he wasn’t surprised to see Edinburgh politicians fighting their corner, adding: “But this is Perthshire’s stone and it should come back to where it belongs.”

He said: “There is no historic connection between the Stone of Destiny and Edinburgh – it has only been at the castle since 1996 – so there really is no argument for it to be retained where it is.”

Picture: Keith Waldegrave. The Stone of Destiny being returned to Scotland in 1996 after spending 700 years in London where it was taken by Edward I of England during the Wars of Independence.