Call for decision on Stone of Destiny after delay.

The Scottish Government is facing fresh pressure to declare the winner in a struggle between Perth and Edinburgh for one of the country’s most famous treasures.

Council chiefs in the Fair City want the Stone of Destiny to form the centrepiece of its new city hall museum.

A public consultation was launched last year to help decide whether the stone should be returned to Perthshire, more than seven centuries after it was first taken from Scone.

Perth and Kinross Council argues it could lure an extra 163,000 tourists into the city centre.

However, Historic Environment Scotland launched a counter-bid to keep the stone where it is in Edinburgh Castle.

An announcement on the Stone of Scone’s fate was due to be made earlier this year but was derailed by coronavirus.

Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife Murdo Fraser has called for a decision to be made in an effort to “build business confidence” after lockdown, if Perth is successful.

“Understandably, there has been no word on whether the Stone of Destiny will come back to Perth due to the SNP Government dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19.

“However, it would be good to get certainty on this issue. Already, we are seeing businesses such as Argos close in Perth city centre due to the impact of lockdown and many more are struggling financially.

“I understand that businesses and shops are going through very difficult times just now, so the promise of the Stone of Destiny coming back to Perth could make a real difference to business confidence locally.”

The decisionwill ultimately be taken by the Stone’s guardians, known as the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia. Among its members is First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Adecision on the latest resting place for Scotland’s Stone of Destiny has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fact that such seemingly trifling topics should be put on the back burner in favour of a public health crisis is, of course, fair and understandable.

With cases of Covid-19 increasing across the country, it could be some time before a conclusion is reached, despite the clamour for clarity.

However, much of the Scottish Government’s planning is focused on a post-pandemic recovery.

It is not overstating matters to suggest Perth’s future could hinge on the decision.

Denying the region a tourist draw like the Stone of Scone could leave city fathers scrambling to find an alternative centrepiece for the cultural offering which will be vital to help Perth bounce back.

Other options will become available should the Commissioners decide the stone should remain in Edinburgh but it would be foolish not to return the ancient crowning seat to Perthshire; it is an “oven ready” option, to borrow a phrase from another protracted negotiation.

The Scottish Government has asked for patience while public health takes priority.

Perth, already toiling before the pandemic with a tourismheavy industry and sorely beset high street, may not have the luxury of time, however.

An impresssion of how the stone could be displayed.