View source for Stone of Scone

{{Short description|Ancient Scottish coronation artefact}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2018}}
[[File:Stone of Scone in 1996.png|thumb|The Stone of Scone at [[Edinburgh Castle]] in 1996 following its return to Scotland]]

The '''Stone of Scone''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|uː|n}}; {{langx|gd|An Lia Fàil}}, meaning '''Stone of Destiny''', also called '''clach-na-cinneamhuinn'''; {{langx|sco|Stane o Scone}}) is an oblong block of red [[sandstone]] that was used in the [[coronation]] of [[Scottish monarchs]] until the 13th century when it was plundered by [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] during the [[First War of Scottish Independence]] and taken to England. Thereafter, it was used in the coronation of [[List of English monarchs|English]] and later [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchs]].

It is considered an ancient symbol of the Scottish monarchy and the [[Kingdom of Scotland]], with its first recorded use being in 1249 for the coronation of [[Alexander III of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Stone of Destiny |url=https://perthmuseum.co.uk/the-stone-of-destiny/ |website=Perth Museum |access-date=24 August 2025 |archive-date=23 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823113720/https://perthmuseum.co.uk/the-stone-of-destiny/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Stone measures {{convert|26|×|16+3/4|×|10+1/2|in|cm}} and weighs approximately {{convert|336|lb|kg st|abbr=on|0}}. A cross is roughly incised on one surface, and an iron ring at each end aids with transport.<ref name="The">{{cite web|title=The stone of Destiny|url=http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/stone_scone.html|website=English Monarchs|publisher=www.englishmonarcs.co.uk|access-date=30 August 2014|year=2004–2005|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420013506/https://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/stone_scone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Monarchs sat on the Stone of Scone itself, until a wooden platform was added to the [[Coronation Chair]] in the 17th&nbsp;century.<ref name="spectator">{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/2013/08/the-coronation-chair-and-the-stone-of-scone-by-warwick-rodwell-review/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215231124/http://www.spectator.co.uk/2013/08/the-coronation-chair-and-the-stone-of-scone-by-warwick-rodwell-review/|archive-date=15 February 2016|title=Review of ''The Coronation Chair'' by Warwick Rodwell|work=The Spectator|author=James Yorke|date=17 August 2013}}</ref>

The artefact<!-- "artefact" is correct NVOE; do not change it to "artifact" --> was originally kept at the [[Scone Abbey]] (now ruined) in [[Scone, Perthshire|Scone]], near [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]. In 1296, the forces of Edward I of England captured it during Edward's [[English invasion of Scotland (1296)|invasion of Scotland]]. The Stone has been used in the coronation of [[English monarchs]] and British monarchs for over 500 years. In 1996, the stone was returned to Scotland, and kept in [[Edinburgh Castle]] with the [[Honours of Scotland]]. The stone remains property of [[the Crown]], with [[Crown Estate Scotland]], an executive agency of the [[Scottish Government]] responsible for the stone in the rights of the monarch. It is transported to London for use at coronations under the supervision of the [[Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite Hansard |jurisdiction=United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |title=Stone of Destiny |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960703/debtext/60703-23.htm |date=3 July 1996 |volume=280 |column=973 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128183720/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960703/debtext/60703-23.htm |date=28 January 2024 }}</ref> Since March 2024, it has been on permanent public display in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]].

==Origin and legends==
[[File:Stone of Scone replica.jpg|thumb|Replica of the Stone of Scone in front of a much later chapel]]

In the 14th century the English cleric and historian [[Walter of Guisborough]] identified the previous location of the Scottish coronation stone as the [[Scone Abbey|monastery of Scone]], {{convert|3|km|mi|0|spell=on|abbr=off}} north of Perth:

{{verse translation
|lang=la|Apud Monasterium de Scone positus est lapis pergrandis in ecclesia Dei, juxta magnum altare, concavus quidem ad modum rotundae cathedrae confectus, in quo futuri reges loco quasi coronationis ponebantur ex more.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Skene |first=William Forbes |url=https://archive.org/details/coronationstone00unkngoog |title=The Coronation Stone |publisher=Edmonston & Douglas |year=1869 |location=Edinburgh |publication-date=1869 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/coronationstone00unkngoog/page/n26 11] |author-link=William Forbes Skene |access-date=5 February 2016}}</ref>
|At the monastery of Scone, in the church of God, near to the high altar, was placed a large stone, hollowed out as a round chair, on which future kings were placed for their coronation, according to custom.}}

Various theories and legends exist about the stone's history prior to its placement in Scone. One story concerns [[Fergus I|Fergus, son of Erc]], the first [[King of the Scots]] ({{reign | {{circa | 498}} | 501}}) in Scotland, whose transport of the Stone from Ireland to [[Argyll]], where he was crowned on it, was recorded<ref>Andree, Paul H. III (2008): Israelology – The Birthright, House of Israel, Kingdom, and Sons of God, ISBN 0615203612, p. 163.</ref> in a 15th-century chronicle. Some versions identify the stone brought by Fergus with the [[Lia Fáil]] used at [[Tara, County Meath|Tara]] for inaugurating the [[High King of Ireland|High Kings of Ireland]]. Other traditions contend that the Lia Fáil remains at Tara.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Danvers |first=Frederick Charles |author-link=Frederic Charles Danvers |url=https://archive.org/stream/covenantorjacob00danvgoog#page/n242/mode/2up |title=The covenant; or, Jacob's heritage |publisher=William Henry Guest |year=1877 |pages=226–233}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Petrie |first=George |year=1839 |title=On the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill |url=https://archive.org/stream/jstor-30078991/30078991#page/n137/mode/2up |journal=The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy |publisher=Royal Irish Academy |pages=159–162}}</ref> (''Inis Fáil'', "The Island of Destiny", is one of the traditional names of Ireland.) Other legends place the origins of the Stone in [[Bible|Biblical]] times and identify it as the [[Stone of Jacob]], taken by [[Jacob]] from [[Bet-El|Bethel]] while on the way to [[Haran (biblical place)|Haran]] ([[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 28:10–22).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Genesis 28:10–22 |url=https://bible.org/seriespage/35-runaway-bribe-genesis-2810-22 |access-date=24 February 2018 |publisher=Bible.org }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This same Stone of Jacob was then supposedly taken to ancient Ireland by the prophet [[Jeremiah]].<ref>[[iarchive:englandremnantj01glovgoog|'England, the Remnant of Judah, and the Israel of Ephraim' by F.R.A. Glover (Frederick Robert Augustus Glover)]].</ref>

Contradicting these legends, geologists have proven that the stone taken by [[Edward I of England]] to [[Westminster]]<ref>'The Stone of Destiny: Symbol of Nationhood' by David Breeze and Graeme Munro</ref> is a "lower [[Old Red Sandstone]]", which was quarried in the vicinity of Scone.<ref>John Prebble, ''The Lion in the North''.</ref> Doubts over the authenticity of the stone at Westminster exist: a [[blog]] post by retired Scottish academic and writer of historical fiction Marie MacPherson shows that they date back at least two hundred years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacPherson |first=Marie |date=29 November 2013 |title=The Stone of Destiny |url=http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-stone-of-destiny.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203043622/http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-stone-of-destiny.html |archive-date=3 February 2015 |access-date=30 August 2014 |website=English Historical Fiction Authors |publisher=Google Incorporated}}</ref>

A letter to the editor of the ''[[Morning Chronicle]]'', dated 2 January 1819, states:

{{Blockquote|On the 19th of November, as the servants belonging to the West Mains of [[Collace|Dunsinane-house]], were employed in carrying away stones from the excavation made among the ruins that point out the site of [[Macbeth, King of Scotland|Macbeth]]'s castle here, part of the ground they stood on suddenly gave way, and sank down about six feet, discovering a regularly built vault, about six feet long and four wide. None of the men being injured, curiosity induced them to clear out the subterranean recess, when they discovered among the ruins a large stone, weighing about 500 lb [{{convert|500|lb|disp= output only}}], which is pronounced to be of the meteoric or semi-metallic kind. This stone must have lain here during the long series of ages since Macbeth's reign. Beside it were also found two round tablets, of a composition resembling bronze. On one of these two lines are engraved, which a gentleman has thus deciphered. – 'The sconce (or shadow) of kingdom come, until Sylphs in air carry me again to Bethel.' These plates exhibit the figures of targets for the arms. From time immemorial it has been believed among us here, that unseen hands brought Jacob's pillow from Bethel and dropped it on the site where the palace of Scoon now stands. A strong belief is also entertained by many in this part of the country that it was only a representation of this Jacob's pillow that Edward sent to Westminster, the sacred stone not having been found by him. The curious here, aware of such traditions, and who have viewed these venerable remains of antiquity, agree that Macbeth may, or rather must, have deposited the stone in question at the bottom of his Castle, on the hill of Dunsinane (from the trouble of the times), where it has been found by the workmen. This curious stone has been shipped for London for the inspection of the scientific amateur, in order to discover its real quality.<ref name="The" />}}

[[Dunsinane Hill]] has the remains of a late prehistoric [[hill fort]], and this has historical associations with Macbeth, but no remains dating to the 11th century have been identified on the hill.<ref>[https://ancientmonuments.uk/125397-dunsinane-hill-fort-carse-of-gowrie-ward#.YqLEYSV4WEc Dunsinane Hill, fort] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126192933/https://ancientmonuments.uk/125397-dunsinane-hill-fort-carse-of-gowrie-ward#.YqLEYSV4WEc |date=26 January 2022 }}, ancientmonuments.uk, accessed 10 June 2022</ref>

==Westminster Abbey==
[[File:Coronation Chair with Stone of Scone, Westminster Abbey (3611549960).jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|The Stone of Scone in the [[Coronation Chair]] at [[Westminster Abbey]] (photo {{Circa|1875|1885}}). In 1914, the stone was broken in half by a [[Suffragette bombing and arson campaign|suffragette bombing.]]]]
In 1296, during the [[First Scottish War of Independence]], [[Edward I]] of England took the stone as spoils of war and removed it to [[Westminster Abbey]], where it was fitted into a wooden chair – known as the [[Coronation Chair]] or King Edward's Chair – on which most subsequent English and then British sovereigns have been crowned. Edward I sought to claim the status of the "Lord Paramount" of Scotland, with the right to oversee its King.<ref>Arundell, Brian, of Wardour Howard. [https://books.google.com/books?id=wfCHMBR7JkAC&q=Gaels&pg=PA3 ''Judah Scepter: A Historical and Religious Perspective''], iUnivers (2010) p. 3</ref>

Some doubt exists over the stone captured by Edward I. The [[Westminster Stone theory]] posits that the [[monk]]s at [[Scone Palace]] hid the real stone in the [[River Tay]], or buried it on [[Dunsinane Hill]], and that the English troops were tricked into taking a substitute. Some proponents of this theory claim that historic descriptions of the stone do not match the present stone.<ref name="pillow">{{Cite web |date=7 January 2018 |title=Salmond: 'Stone of Destiny is fake' |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/salmond-stone-of-destiny-is-fake-1-1433959 |access-date=24 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812052502/https://www.scotsman.com/news/salmond-stone-of-destiny-is-fake-1-1433959 |archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref>

In the 1328 [[Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton|Treaty of Northampton]] between the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] and the [[Kingdom of England]], England agreed to return the captured stone to Scotland; rioting crowds prevented it from being removed from Westminster Abbey.<ref>Brown, Christopher "Bannockburn 1314"</ref> The stone remained in England for another six centuries. When [[James VI of Scotland]] assumed the English throne as [[James I of England]], he was [[coronation of James I and Anne|crowned at Westminster Abbey on the stone]].<ref>Horatio Brown, ''Calendar State Papers, Venice: 1603–1607'', vol. 10 (London, England, 1900), pp. 75–76 no. 105: [[John Speed]], ''The History of Great Britaine'' (London, England, 1614), p. 885.</ref> For the next century, the [[House of Stuart|Stuart]] kings and queens of Scotland once again sat on the stone – but at their coronation as kings and queens of, and in, England.

===1914 suffragette bombing===
On 11 June 1914, as part of the [[suffragette bombing and arson campaign]] of 1912–1914, [[suffragette]]s of the [[Women's Social and Political Union]] planted a bomb loaded with metal bolts and nuts to act as shrapnel next to the Coronation Chair and Stone;<ref name="BL">{{Cite web |title=Suffragettes, violence and militancy |url=https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/suffragettes-violence-and-militancy |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=The British Library |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910203912/https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/suffragettes-violence-and-militancy |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Webb">{{Cite book |last=Webb |first=Simon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2RtBQAAQBAJ |title=The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists |publisher=Pen and Sword |year=2014 |isbn=978-1783400645 |page=148 |language=en}}</ref> no serious injuries were reported in the aftermath of the subsequent explosion despite the building having been busy with 80–100 visitors,<ref name="Walker">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Rebecca |year=2020 |title=Deeds, Not Words: The Suffragettes and Early Terrorism in the City of London |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03058034.2019.1687222 |journal=The London Journal |volume=45 |issue=1 |page=59 |doi=10.1080/03058034.2019.1687222 |issn=0305-8034 |s2cid=212994082 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=1 August 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801163307/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03058034.2019.1687222 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Ian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjSwDQAAQBAJ |title=London: Bombed Blitzed and Blown Up: The British Capital Under Attack Since 1867 |publisher=Frontline Books |year=2016 |isbn=978-1473879010 |page=65 |language=en}}</ref> but the deflagration blew off a corner of the Coronation Chair<ref name="BL" /><ref name="Webb" /> and broke the Stone in half – although this was not discovered until 1950, when four Scottish nationalists [[1950 removal of the Stone of Scone|broke into the church to steal the stone]] and return it to Scotland.<ref name="Webb" /> Two days after the Westminster Abbey bombing, a second suffragette bomb was discovered before it could explode in [[St Paul's Cathedral]].<ref name="BL" />

===Early 20th century===
The possibility that the Coronation Chair could be damaged or destroyed by German air raids during the [[Second World War]] resulted in it being moved to [[Gloucester Cathedral]] for the duration of the war. Concerns about the propaganda implications of the Stone falling into German hands led to it being hidden behind ancient lead coffins in a burial vault under Abbot Islip's Chapel, situated off the north [[ambulatory]] of the abbey.<ref name="Shenton">{{Cite book |last=Shenton |first=Caroline |title=National Treasures: Saving the Nation's Art in World War II |publisher=John Murray |year=2021 |isbn=978-1529387438 |location=London |pages=203–204 |type=Hardback}}</ref> Other than the Dean, [[Paul de Labilliere]] and the [[Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey]], [[Charles Reed Peers|Charles Peers]], only a few other people knew of its hiding place. Worried that the secret could be lost if all of them were killed during the war, Peers drew up three maps showing its location. Two were sent in sealed envelopes to Canada, one to the Canadian Prime Minister [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who deposited it in the Bank of Canada's vault in Ottawa. The other went to [[Albert Edward Matthews]], the [[Lieutenant Governor of Ontario]], who stored his envelope in the Bank of Montreal in Toronto. Once he had received word that the envelopes had been received, Peers destroyed the third map, which he had been keeping at his bank.<ref name="Shenton" />

Peers later received a suggestion via the Office of Works that the Stone should be sent to Scotland for safekeeping:
<blockquote>I trust the Office of Works will not lend itself to this attempt by the Scotch to get hold of the Stone by a side wind. You cannot be so simple as not to know that this acquisitive nation have ever since the time of Edward I been attempting by fair means or foul, to get possession of the Stone, and during my time at Westminster we have received warnings from the Police that Scottish emissaries were loose in London, intending to steal the Stone and we had better lock up the Confessor's Chapel, where it is normally kept.<ref name="Shenton" /></blockquote>

==Returning to Scotland==
===First return===
{{Main article|1950 removal of the Stone of Scone}}

On Christmas Day 1950, a group of four Scottish students ([[Ian Hamilton (lawyer)|Ian Hamilton]], [[Gavin Vernon]], [[Kay Matheson]], and Alan Stuart) removed the stone from Westminster Abbey, intending to return it to Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 2013 |title=Kay Matheson |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10178854/Kay-Matheson.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10178854/Kay-Matheson.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=4 June 2019 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London, England}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2008 |title=Blog Archive » Emotion Nationalism And The Brave-Heart Factor |url=http://www.ianhamiltonqc.com/blog/?p=269 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712235747/http://www.ianhamiltonqc.com/blog/?p=269 |archive-date=12 July 2011 |access-date=13 November 2010 |publisher=Ian Hamilton Qc |df=dmy-all}}</ref> During the removal, the stone broke into two pieces.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Thomas |date=25 May 2008 |title=Film on Stone of Destiny heist 'will end UK' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/may/25/scotland.britishidentity |access-date=14 May 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Craig |first=Olga |date=14 December 2008 |title=Ian Hamilton on Stone of Destiny: I felt I was holding Scotland's soul |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3743946/Ian-Hamilton-on-Stone-of-Destiny-I-felt-I-was-holding-Scotlands-soul.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3743946/Ian-Hamilton-on-Stone-of-Destiny-I-felt-I-was-holding-Scotlands-soul.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=25 December 2011 |work=Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After burying the greater part of the Stone in a [[Kent]] field, where they camped for a few days,<ref name="Guardian 14Oct2008">{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Kirsty |date=14 October 2008 |title=The Caledonian job |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/14/heritage-scotland |website=The Guardian}}</ref> they uncovered the buried stone and returned to Scotland, along with a new accomplice, John Josselyn.

According to an American [[diplomat]] who was posted in [[Edinburgh]] at the time, the stone was briefly hidden in a trunk in the basement of the consulate's Public Affairs Officer, without his knowledge, then brought up further north.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland, A Land Apart |url=https://adst.org/2014/09/scotland-a-land-apart/ |access-date=2021-07-30 |website=Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training |date=17 September 2014 |language=en-US |archive-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035257/https://adst.org/2014/09/scotland-a-land-apart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The smaller piece was similarly brought north at a later time. The entire stone was passed to [[Glasgow]] politician [[Robert Gray (Scottish politician)|Robert Gray]], who arranged for a Glasgow [[stonemason]] to repair it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-07-12 |title=The Stone of Destiny |work=Scone Palace Perthshire |url=http://scone-palace.co.uk/palace-grounds/stone-of-destiny |access-date=2017-04-17 |archive-date=26 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126164334/http://scone-palace.co.uk/palace-grounds/stone-of-destiny |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 1974 |title=Offer to repair Stone of Destiny |page=3 |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VXZDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7qQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3896%2C2940043 |access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref>

The [[British Government]] ordered a major search for the stone, but were unsuccessful. The stone was left by those that had been hiding it on the altar of [[Arbroath Abbey]] on 11 April 1951, a property owned by the [[Church of Scotland]]. Once the London police were informed of its whereabouts, the stone was returned to Westminster four months after its removal. Afterward, rumours circulated that copies of the stone had been made, and that the returned stone was not the original.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blystone |first=Richard |date=15 November 1996 |title=Scotland's 'Stone of Scone' finds its way home |url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/15/stone.of.scone/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806180816/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/15/stone.of.scone/ |archive-date=6 August 2014 |access-date=30 August 2014 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref name="Sad">{{Cite web |last=Halloran |first=Richard |date=26 August 2014 |title=The Sad, Dark End of the British Empire |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/08/the-sad-end-of-the-british-empire-110362/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908135531/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/08/the-sad-end-of-the-british-empire-110362 |archive-date=8 September 2015 |access-date=30 August 2014 |website=Politico Magazine}}</ref>
[[File:Stone of Scone return to Scotland, 1996.png|thumb|upright=1.15|The returning of the Stone of Scone to Scotland at a ceremony at [[Edinburgh Castle]], 1996]]

===Second return===
On 3 July 1996, in response to a growing discussion around Scottish cultural history, the British Government announced that the stone would return to Scotland, 700 years after it had been taken.<ref name="Sad" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 1996 |title=The return north of Jacob's pillow may prove cold comfort to Mr Major, argues Malcolm Dickson Tory moment of destiny |work=The Glasgow Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12036383.the-return-north-of-jacobs-pillow-may-prove-cold-comfort-to-mr-major-argues-malcolm-dickson-tory-moment-of-destiny/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=20 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820104908/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12036383.the-return-north-of-jacobs-pillow-may-prove-cold-comfort-to-mr-major-argues-malcolm-dickson-tory-moment-of-destiny/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 November 1996, after a handover ceremony at the border between representatives of the [[Home Office]] and of the [[Scottish Office]], the stone was transported to [[Edinburgh Castle]]. An official handover ceremony occurred in the Castle on 30 November 1996, [[St Andrew's Day]], to mark the arrival of the stone.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ascherson |first=Neal |author-link=Neal Ascherson |date=1 Dec 1996 |title=Scotland welcomes the new Stone age |work=[[The Independent#The Independent on Sunday|The Independent on Sunday]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/scotland-welcomes-the-new-stone-age-1312444.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/scotland-welcomes-the-new-stone-age-1312444.html |archive-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> The then Prince Andrew, Duke of York (later [[Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor]]), representing Queen Elizabeth II, formally handed over the [[Royal warrant (document)|Royal Warrant]] transferring the stone into the safekeeping of the [[Honours of Scotland#Commissioners for the Keeping of the Regalia|Commissioners for the Regalia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2016 |title=20 lesser known facts about the Stone of Destiny – 20 facts for 20 years! |url=http://blog.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index.php/20-lesser-known-facts-about-the-stone-of-destiny-20-facts-for-20-years |access-date=24 February 2018 |website=Edinburgh Castle Blog |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224164814/http://blog.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index.php/20-lesser-known-facts-about-the-stone-of-destiny-20-facts-for-20-years/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>The ceremonial of the day: {{Edinburgh Gazette|city= e |issue= 24101 |pages= 2861–2862 |date= 29 November 1996}}</ref> It currently resides in Perth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=Neil Pooran, Sian |date=2024-03-28 |title=Stone of Destiny given ceremonial send-off to its next home |newspaper=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/stone-of-destiny-given-ceremonial-send-off-to-its-next-home-bk80gn6kp |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127130024/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/stone-of-destiny-given-ceremonial-send-off-to-its-next-home-bk80gn6kp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=See and do > highlights > the Stone of Destiny |url=https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/see-and-do/highlights/the-stone-of-destiny |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=edinburghcastle.scot |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208180541/https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/see-and-do/highlights/the-stone-of-destiny |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Temporary return to London===
In September 2022, [[Historic Environment Scotland]] announced that the stone would temporarily return to [[Westminster Abbey]] for the [[coronation of Charles III]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2022 |title=Stone of Destiny to return to Westminster Abbey for coronation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-62875378 |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=BBC News |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913062344/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-62875378 |url-status=live }}</ref> It subsequently left the castle on 27 April 2023 in a procession led by [[Joseph Morrow (officer of arms)|Joseph Morrow]], the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Historic Stone of Scone moved to London for King Charles' coronation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/historic-stone-scone-moved-london-king-charles-coronation-2023-04-28/ |work=Reuters |date=28 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429183711/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/historic-stone-scone-moved-london-king-charles-coronation-2023-04-28/ |url-status=live }}</ref> arriving in Westminster Abbey on 29 April.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stone of Destiny welcomed to the Abbey |url=https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-news/stone-of-destiny-welcomed-to-the-abbey |website=Westminster Abbey |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en |date=29 April 2023 |archive-date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430082258/https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-news/stone-of-destiny-welcomed-to-the-abbey |url-status=live }}</ref> After the coronation on 6 May, the stone was put on temporary display at the abbey before being returned to Edinburgh Castle later in the month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stone of Destiny back on display |work=The Herald |date=17 May 2023 |location=Glasgow |page=5}}</ref>

==Public display==
[[File:Stone of Destiny Travels to London for Coronation of Charles III.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|The Stone of Scone being carried out from [[Edinburgh Castle]] in preparation for its use at the coronation in 2023 of Charles III]]
As part of a consultation in 2019,<ref name="consultation">{{Cite web |title=The Stone of Destiny |url=https://consult.gov.scot/commissioners-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-regalia/the-stone-of-destiny/ |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816174419/https://consult.gov.scot/commissioners-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-regalia/the-stone-of-destiny/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[Scottish Government]] asked the public for their views on the preferred location for public display of the Stone of Scone. Two options were proposed: featuring it as the centrepiece of a proposed new [[Perth Museum]] (a £23 million redevelopment of the former [[Perth City Hall]]) or remaining at Edinburgh Castle in a major redevelopment of the existing display.<ref>Compare: {{Cite book |url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/report-public-engagement-relating-future-location-stone-destiny/ |title=Stone of Destiny – future location: public engagement report |date=2020 |publisher=Scottish Government – Riaghaltas na h-Alba |isbn=978-1800045200 |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415042622/https://www.gov.scot/publications/report-public-engagement-relating-future-location-stone-destiny/ |archive-date=15 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="display">{{Cite news |date=16 August 2019 |title=Perth wants Stone of Destiny to return to 'ancestral home' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-49369192 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816122453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-49369192 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2020, the Scottish Government announced that the stone would be relocated to the Perth Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Stone of Destiny |url=https://www.gov.scot/news/the-stone-of-destiny/ |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=Scottish Government |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407193607/https://www.gov.scot/news/the-stone-of-destiny/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The museum opened on 30 March 2024, with the stone as one of its main exhibits.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ogston |first1=Graeme |title=Stone of Destiny takes centre stage at new £27m Perth Museum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-68625908 |access-date=3 April 2024 |work=BBC News |date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403052133/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-68625908 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Vandalism==
On 15 November 2023, three members of environmental activist group "This is Rigged" smashed the stone's protective glass case, and spray-painted the words "Is Treasa Tuath Na Tighearna" (Scottish Gaelic for "The People Are Mightier Than A Lord") on the glass, alongside the group's logo. Edinburgh Castle was closed to the public for the rest of the day. The activists were arrested following the action, which they claimed was intended to pressure supermarkets to reduce food prices and the Scottish Government to fund a community food hub.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edinburgh Castle locked down after eco activists smash Stone of Scone case |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/15/edinburgh-castle-lockdown-activists-stone-destiny// |work=The Telegraph |date=16 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118210335/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/15/edinburgh-castle-lockdown-activists-stone-destiny// |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2024, two of the three pled guilty at [[Edinburgh Sheriff Court]] to charges of malicious damage in connection with the incident.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 November 2024 |title=Pair admits targeting Crown of Scotland and Stone of Destiny in protest |work=The Herald |location=Glasgow, Scotland |page=6}}</ref> In December, the third protester also pled guilty to damaging the cabinet; his not guilty plea to a charge of breaching the peace was accepted.<ref>{{cite news |title=Protester admits damaging Stone of Destiny case |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpvn71dj9k8o |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=BBC News |date=24 December 2024}}</ref>

On 12 July 2025, an Australian national wearing a kilt was arrested after he was caught smashing the stone's protective glass case while it was on display at the [[Perth Museum]]. He was subsequently charged with malicious mischief.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man charged after kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny |url=https://apnews.com/article/scotland-stone-of-destiny-attacked-be68972e0f7c59620d3639d38f852135 |access-date=15 July 2025 |work=AP News |date=15 July 2025 |archive-date=15 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715155829/https://apnews.com/article/scotland-stone-of-destiny-attacked-be68972e0f7c59620d3639d38f852135 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Missing fragments==
In January 2024, a fragment of the stone, previously thought to have been lost, was found in a cupboard at the headquarters of the [[Scottish National Party]]. According to Scottish cabinet papers released on 1 January, the fragment was given to the then first minister [[Alex Salmond]] in 2008 by the son of [[John MacCormick]], who had been involved in the removal of the stone from Westminster Abbey. [[John Elvidge|Sir John Elvidge]], who was [[Permanent Secretary]] to the Cabinet at the time, told Salmond that he could keep the fragment. Salmond then passed it to the SNP for safekeeping.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pollock |first=Laura |date=5 January 2024 |title=Missing piece of Stone of Destiny 'in cupboard at SNP HQ' |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24031357.missing-piece-stone-destiny-in-cupboard-snp-hq/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The National |archive-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105191852/https://www.thenational.scot/news/24031357.missing-piece-stone-destiny-in-cupboard-snp-hq/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Tom |date=8 January 2024 |title=Alex Salmond's piece of Stone of Destiny 'found in cupboard at SNP HQ' |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24035854.alex-salmonds-piece-stone-destiny-found-cupboard-snp-hq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108182314/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24035854.alex-salmonds-piece-stone-destiny-found-cupboard-snp-hq/ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=9 January 2024 |work=The Herald |location=Glasgow, Scotland |page=6 |language=en}}</ref>

Historic Environment Scotland subsequently carried out tests on the fragment, which established it was genuine "beyond reasonable doubt". In May 2024, it was announced that the fragment would be held by the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia "on behalf of the Nation and the people of Scotland".<ref>{{cite news |title=Stone of Destiny fragment 'genuine beyond reasonable doubt' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72pvlmqnz2o |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=BBC News |date=17 May 2024 |archive-date=3 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603105550/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72pvlmqnz2o |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2025, the [[BBC]] reported that a search was in progress for "up to 30" further missing fragments. These fragments were separated from the stone while it was being repaired shortly after the 1950 theft. Robert Gray, who oversaw the repair, passed them to the students who carried out the theft, as well as to "those he admired in the campaign for Scottish independence". The search is being undertaken by [[Sally Foster]] from the [[University of Stirling]]; she has so far been able to confirm the locations of four of them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Project traces fate of Stone of Destiny fragments |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79d120x2pzo |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2025 |archive-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117065623/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79d120x2pzo |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2025, Professor Foster reported that she had identified Detective inspector William Kerr as the recipient of one of the fragments. Kerr had been involved in the search for the stone in 1951. Robert Gray was thought to have handed him the fragment in 1956.<ref>{{cite news |title=Policeman received fragment after hunt for Stone |work=The Herald |date=10 November 2025 |location=Glasgow |page=8}}</ref>

==In literature==
The Stone of Scone is parodied as the Scone of Stone in Terry Pratchett's ''[[Discworld]]'' series of novels, notably in ''[[The Fifth Elephant]]''. The connection between the Stone of Scone and Jacob's Pillow is central to the plot of ''This Jagged Way'' ('''ASIN : '''B0C4B9Q7PQ) by Tormad Cockburn.

==See also==
* [[List of individual rocks]]
* [[Blarney Stone]] (Ireland)
* [[Coronation Stone, Kingston upon Thames]] (England)
* [[Duke's Chair]] (Austria)
* [[Edward Faraday Odlum]]
* [[History of Scotland]]
* [[Lia Fáil]] (Ireland)
* [[Omphalos]]
* [[Prince's Stone]] (Slovenia)
* [[Stone of Jacob]]
* [[Stones of Mora]] (Sweden)

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* ''No Stone Unturned: The Story of the Stone of Destiny'', Ian R. Hamilton, Victor Gollancz and also Funk and Wagnalls, 1952, 1953, hardcover, 191 pages, An account of the return of the stone to Scotland in 1950 (older, but more available)
* ''Taking of the Stone of Destiny'', Ian R. Hamilton, Seven Hills Book Distributors, 1992, hardcover, {{ISBN|0-948403-24-1}} (modern reprint, but expensive)
* Martin-Gil F.J., Martin-Ramos P. and Martin-Gil J. "Is Scotland's Coronation Stone a Measurement Standard from the Middle Bronze Age?". ''Anistoriton'', issue P024 of 14 December 2002.
* ''The Stone of Destiny: Symbol of Nationhood'' by David Breeze, Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments, and Graeme Munro, Chief Executive, Historic Scotland; Published by ''[[Historic Scotland]]'' 1997: {{ISBN|1-900168-44-8}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Skene
|first=William Forbes
|author-link=William Forbes Skene
|year=1869
|title=The Coronation Stone
|publisher=Edmonston & Douglas
|publication-date=1869
|location=Edinburgh
|url=https://archive.org/details/coronationstone00unkngoog
|access-date=2014-10-09
}}
* [https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/see-and-do/highlights/the-stone-of-destiny Highlights: The Stone of Destiny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208180541/https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/see-and-do/highlights/the-stone-of-destiny |date=8 February 2024 }}, Edinburgh Castle website
* [http://www.philipcoppens.com/stone_destiny.html The Stone of Destiny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928093530/http://www.philipcoppens.com/stone_destiny.html |date=28 September 2011 }}, sacred kingship in the 21st century

{{Coronation of the British monarch|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stone Of Scone}}
[[Category:Stone of Scone| ]]
[[Category:Individual thrones]]
[[Category:Coronation stones|Scone]]
[[Category:Scottish royalty]]
[[Category:Monarchy of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Repatriated objects]]
[[Category:Sacred rocks]]
[[Category:Sandstone in the United Kingdom]]