The Stone of Destiny, one of Scotland’s best loved treasures, will go on display at Edinburgh Castle for the last time on 10 March.
Historic Environment Scotland [HES], which cares for the Stone, advised its members of their “last chance” to see the historic symbol of Scottish monarchy in the capital.
The historic artefact, used for centuries in coronations, has been on show at the castle since it was returned to Scotland in 1996.
It will be moved to its new home at Perth Museum, where it will be the centrepiece of the attraction once it opens to the public on March 30 following the completion of a £27 million redevelopment project.
The Stone will return to the Fair City following a 728 year absence after it was originally taken from its historic home in Scone by England’s King Edward I in 1296.
Visitors are expected to flock to Edinburgh Castle to see the Stone before it is transported to Perth, with HES advising visitors to book in advance “to avoid missing out”.
HES told its members: “After more than 25 years on display in Edinburgh Castle’s Crown Room, from March this year the Stone of Destiny moves to the new Perth Museum.
“Your last chance to see the Stone at Edinburgh Castle will be Sunday 10 March 2024, it will then be displayed in Perth Museum from Easter weekend.
“We will still care for the Stone of Destiny, as well as the Honours of Scotland.
“We have been working on a re-display of the Honours of Scotland, and from mid-March the Crown of Scotland, Sceptre, and Sword of State, which are amongst the oldest crown jewels in Europe, will be on display for you to see alongside the new ceremonial Elizabeth Sword.”
An HES spokesperson added: “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, near Perth, by King Edward I to Westminster Abbey in 1296, and built into his own throne.
Kept under the Coronation Chair and used in the crowning of British monarchs, the Stone was stolen from Westminster on Christmas Eve 1950 in a raid by four Scottish students, who left it at Arbroath Abbey in Angus. It was returned to Westminster Abbey in 1951.
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.
The Stone 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.
Ahead of the coronation, cutting-edge digital technology and scientific analysis shed new light on the ancient object including verification that it was quarried in Perthshire — and not brought to Scotland from overseas in ancient times as claimed in myths and legends.
HES experts were also able to confirm it was the same one that was taken from Scone by King Edward I in 1296 and not a replica as some people had speculated.
It was announced in December 2020 that the stone was to be given a new home in Perth.
The move was announced to the Scottish Parliament by then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on behalf of the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia, advisors to the late Queen who in turn had given the move the go ahead.
The stone will become the centrepiece of the new Perth Museum following a £27 million redevelopment project and will be free to view.
