A day of destiny as PM orders return of historic Stone to Scots
It was a decision that made and remade Scottish history.
On this day 25 years ago, Prime Minister John Major astonished Westminster by announcing that the ancient Stone of Destiny (aka The Scone Stone) would be returned to its rightful owner – Scotland – 700 years after it had been seized by the marauding English. Three years later – almost to the day – Scotland would see the opening of its first parliament in 300 years.
The PM’S declaration – which ministers insisted was not a gesture to appease Scottish nationalists – meant the stone, the historic symbol of Scotland’s monarchs until Edward I carried it off to Westminster Abbey, was to have a new home at Edinburgh Castle.
More than 10,000 people lined the streets of Scotland’s capital on St Andrew’s Day 1996 to witness the return of the ancient Celtic stone.
Making his monumental announcement, Major told MPS: “The Stone of Destiny is the most ancient symbol of Scottish kingship. It was used in the coronation of Scottish Kings until the end of the 13th Century.
“Exactly 700 years ago, in 1296, King Edward I brought it from Scotland and housed it in Westminster abbey. The stone remains the property of the Crown. I wish to inform the House that, on the advice of Her Majesty’s Ministers, the Queen has agreed that the stone should be returned to Scotland.
“The stone will, of course, be taken to Westminster Abbey to play its traditional role in the coronation ceremonies of future sovereigns of the United
Kingdom. The Stone of Destiny holds a special place in the hearts of Scots. On this the 700th anniversary of its removal from Scotland, it is appropriate to return it to its historic homelan.”
But Margaret Ewing, an SNP MP and later MSP for Moray until her death in 2006, challenged: “The Stone of Destiny is not the symbol of kingship but the symbol of the sovereignty of the people of Scotland, which is enunciated through the declaration of Arbroath.
“Like others, I argue that, while we welcome the return of this symbol of power, we want the realities of power in Scotland. It may have taken this parliament some 668 years since the treaty of Northampton to return stolen goods to Scotland, but in actuality the people of Scotland will return to themselves the power of having their own sovereign parliament very soon.”
She was right. On July 1, 1999 the first Scottish Parliament in 300 years was officially opened by the Queen and received its full law-making powers, with its usual meeting place at the General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh, until the new parliament
building was constructed at Holyrood. The earliest origins of the Stone of Destiny are unknown, with many rumours citing either biblical or Scottish origins.
It has been used to crown countless Scottish, English and British monarchs over the years, and was last used in 1952 for the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Also known as the Stone of Scone, a replica of the 152 kilogram relic can be seen on Moot Hill in the grounds of Scone Palace.
One legend of the stone suggests it is the biblical Jacob’s Pillow, taken by the prophet Jeremiah to Ireland, before an early Scottish king then took the stone across the Irish Sea to Argyll. The legend also suggests the stone was taken by the missionary Columba when he visited Iona in 563AD.