The Stone of Destiny has gone on display at Edinburgh Castle for the last time as preparations begin for it to be transferred to its new permanent home in Perth.
Historic Environment Scotland [HES], which cares for the Stone, said over 35 million people had visited the castle since it went on display there in 1996.
The historic artefact, which has sat alongside the Honours of Scotland, will now be removed to the new Perth Museum, where it will go on display permanently when the attraction opens to the public on Saturday 30 March.
The Stone will return to the Fair City following a 728-year absence after it was originally taken from its historic home in nearby Scone by England’s King Edward I in 1296.
A spokesperson for HES said: “The Stone of Destiny will move from its current display in Edinburgh Castle to the new Perth Museum later this month.
“We’ve been delighted to house the Stone at Edinburgh Castle for over 25 years, and we’re sure visitors will enjoy this new chapter in its long history.”
The Stone of Destiny – also known as the Stone of Scone – was used for nearly 500 years as a coronation stone for Scottish monarchs.
It was taken from Scone in 1296, and built into King Edward’s own throne at Westminster Abbey.
The Stone was officially returned to Scotland in 1996 and ceremonially installed in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, alongside the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish Crown Jewels.
It has continued to be used for the inauguration of monarchs, however, and was transported back to Westminster Abbey last year for the coronation of King Charles.
It was announced in December 2020 that the Stone was to be given a new home in Perth.
It will become the centrepiece of the new Perth Museum following a £27 million redevelopment project and will be free to view when the attraction opens to the public on March 30.
Meanwhile, HES said it has been working on a new display of the Honours of Scotland – the Crown of Scotland, Sceptre, and Sword of State, which are amongst the oldest crown jewels in Europe – alongside the new ceremonial “Elizabeth Sword”.
