DESTINY IS CALLING

76 YEARS AFTER IT WAS STOLEN IN A DRAMATIC HEIST A NEW CHAPTER IS BEING WRITTEN FOR THE ANCIENT STONE OF SCONE

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THE Stone of Destiny has a long and turbulent history, from its use in the coronation of ancient Scottish monarchs, to being seized as part of conquest and reclaimed in a dramatic heists.

The Stone of Scone (pronounced ‘skoon’), is also known as the Stone of Destiny or, in England, the Coronation stone. The origins of the slab of sandstone are a mystery, with some stories saying it was used by ancient tribes of Scots in County Antrim before being brought to Scotland, others say it originally came from the Roman Antonine Wall and one says it is the Biblical Jacob's Pillow.

What is known is that it was used for the coronation of Scottish monarchs at Scone Palace in Perthshire between the 9th and 13th centuries, until it was stolen in 1296 by King Edward I of England, who was known as the ‘Hammer of the Scots’.

The stone was taken to Westminster Abbey where it was mounted in a wooden throne and then used in the coronation of English monarchs.

The stone remained a powerful symbol for Scottish independence and after decades of unheeded calls for it to return home four students took matters into their own hands.

In the early hours of Christmas Day 1950 they broke into Westminster Abbey having driven there from Scotland in two Ford Anglias.

The Stone of Destiny was removed from the base of the ceremonial throne, but while being dragged across the floor on a coat it broke in two. The group fled the scene with the pieces of stone and began to make their way back to Scotland.

The larger piece of stone was temporarily buried in a field in Rochester, Kent and the smaller piece was left with a friend who put it in their garage in Birmingham.