Latest news with #CulturePerthandKinross
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Daily Record
The ancient stone that was used to crown Scottish monarchs for centuries
The Stone of Destiny's origin is wrapped in legend A man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smash the protective glass case around the Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum, sparking a swift evacuation of the building. Eyewitnesses reported that the man, dressed in a kilt, tried to break into the stone's display around 2pm on Saturday, July 12. Police arrived promptly, and a 35-year-old man was arrested and later charged in connection with the incident. There were no injuries reported, and crucially, the stone itself remained unharmed. A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross told the BBC: 'We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum where a man was arrested. Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display. We are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries.' The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone (pronounced 'skoon'), is one of Scotland's most treasured national symbols, and steeped in myth, history and royal tradition. Weighing 150kg, the ancient sandstone slab has served for centuries as the seat upon which Scottish monarchs were crowned. Originally known by its Celtic name Lia Fáil, meaning 'the speaking stone', the stone was believed to reveal or confirm the rightful king. The stone's origin is wrapped in legend. One ancient tale says it is the very rock used as a pillow by the biblical figure Jacob in the Book of Genesis. That stone, the story goes, travelled from the Middle East to Egypt, then Spain, before arriving in Ireland. From there, it was brought to Scotland by early settlers and used in the crowning of kings. Other theories link it to the Roman Antonine Wall or ancient tribes in Antrim. It was first used in the crowning ceremonies of the kings of Dalriada, the early Gaelic kingdom in the west of Scotland, now known as Argyll. When Kenneth MacAlpin, the 36th King of Dalriada, unified the Scots and Picts around 840 AD, he moved his royal seat to Scone in Perthshire, and brought the stone with him. From then on, all Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny, which sat atop Moot Hill at Scone Palace. The stone remained in Scotland until 1296, when it was seized by King Edward I during the Wars of Independence and taken to Westminster Abbey. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There, it was fitted into a specially crafted wooden throne and became an enduring symbol of English rule over Scotland, used in the coronation of English, and later British, monarchs. One of the most famous episodes in its history occurred in 1950, when four students from Glasgow University broke into Westminster Abbey and returned the stone to Scotland. Though eventually recovered and returned to London, the incident reignited calls for the stone's permanent repatriation. That call was finally answered in 1996, when the UK Government returned the stone to Scotland. It was placed in Edinburgh Castle before being transferred in 2023 to its new home at Perth Museum, where it is the star exhibit. It was last used in May 2023 during the coronation of King Charles III, continuing its role in British royal ceremonies more than a thousand years after it was first used in Scotland.
1News
15-07-2025
- 1News
Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny
A man from Australia has been charged with 'malicious mischief' for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood. Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism. Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn't asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week. Police said that they were called to a 'disturbance' at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Sunday, after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock. The 150-kilogram sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England's King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair. ADVERTISEMENT It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since, first of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump's deadline for Russia, legal action against a supermarket giant, and an unusual marathon record. (Source: Breakfast) The stone's presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Glasgow university students, but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth Museum where, according to the building's website, there are 'a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object'. Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn't damaged in the incident.
North Wales Chronicle
14-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Man charged with malicious mischief after ‘Stone of Destiny case smashed'
It follows an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday afternoon, where visitors reported a man in a kilt attempting to smash through the case containing the ancient artefact, which has long been associated with the monarchy. Police said they had arrested and charged someone following a 'disturbance' at the museum, which has the sandstone block as its centrepiece exhibition. On Monday, 35-year-old Arnaud Harixcalde Logan appeared at Perth Sheriff Court facing a single charge of malicious mischief. His address was listed as Sydney, Australia. No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody, with the next appearance due to take place in eight days. In Scots law, malicious mischief is an offence which deals with behaviour which damages or destroys the property of another, similar to vandalism. The artefact, also known as the Stone of Scone, was moved to Perth Museum in 2024 as part of a £27 million redevelopment. It has been associated with the Scottish and UK monarchies for centuries. The Stone of Destiny was used in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and also in the coronation of the King in 2023. It was formally returned to Scotland in 1996 to go on display at Edinburgh Castle. A Police Scotland spokesperson said earlier: 'At around 1.55pm on Saturday 12 July, 2025, Police Scotland received a call regarding a disturbance at Perth Museum. 'A 35-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged.' A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross said: 'We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday July 12 2025, where a man was arrested. 'Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display. 'We are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries so it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
Winnipeg Free Press
14-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Man charged after kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny
LONDON (AP) — A man from Australia has been charged with 'malicious mischief' for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood. Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism. Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn't asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week. Police said that they were called to a 'disturbance' at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Saturday, after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock. The 335-pound (150-kilogram) sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England's King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair. It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since — first of English and then of British monarchs The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century. The stone's presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Glasgow university students, but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth Museum where, according to the building's website, there are 'a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object.' Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn't damaged in the incident.
South Wales Guardian
14-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Man charged with malicious mischief after ‘Stone of Destiny case smashed'
It follows an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday afternoon, where visitors reported a man in a kilt attempting to smash through the case containing the ancient artefact, which has long been associated with the monarchy. Police said they had arrested and charged someone following a 'disturbance' at the museum, which has the sandstone block as its centrepiece exhibition. On Monday, 35-year-old Arnaud Harixcalde Logan appeared at Perth Sheriff Court facing a single charge of malicious mischief. His address was listed as Sydney, Australia. No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody, with the next appearance due to take place in eight days. In Scots law, malicious mischief is an offence which deals with behaviour which damages or destroys the property of another, similar to vandalism. The artefact, also known as the Stone of Scone, was moved to Perth Museum in 2024 as part of a £27 million redevelopment. It has been associated with the Scottish and UK monarchies for centuries. The Stone of Destiny was used in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and also in the coronation of the King in 2023. It was formally returned to Scotland in 1996 to go on display at Edinburgh Castle. A Police Scotland spokesperson said earlier: 'At around 1.55pm on Saturday 12 July, 2025, Police Scotland received a call regarding a disturbance at Perth Museum. 'A 35-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged.' A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross said: 'We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday July 12 2025, where a man was arrested. 'Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display. 'We are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries so it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
