Chamber and committees

Under the terms of their Royal Warrant it is the responsibility of the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia to advise Her Majesty The Queen about all matters relating to the Stone of Destiny.

The four Commissioners are: the First Minister, as the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland; the Rt Hon the Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT, QC, the Lord Clerk Register; the Rt Hon James Wolffe QC, the Lord Advocate, and the Rt Hon Lady Dorrian QC, the Lord Justice Clerk. This answer is provided collectively on behalf of the Commissioners.

The Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone) forms an important part of the story of Scotland. The use of a special stone in the enthronement of Scottish monarchs is a tradition of very long standing. The Stone first entered recorded history in 1057, when Lulach was proclaimed King at Scone and it appears to have been used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs thereafter.

In 1296, the Stone was seized and taken from Scotland to England by King Edward I. From that time on the Stone was used in the coronation of the future Kings and Queens of England and, subsequently, those of the United Kingdom.

In 1996, 700 years after it was taken, the Stone was returned to Scotland. Since when it has been located in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, where it is displayed along with Honours of Scotland, under the care of Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

In 2019 Perth & Kinross Council, and its delivery partner, Culture Perth & Kinross, submitted to the Commissioners proposals for the relocation of the Stone to Perth to become the centrepiece of the Perth City Hall project, which forms one element of the overall Tay Cities Region Deal. Proposals were also received from Historic Environment Scotland for the re-development of the display of the Stone along with the Honours of Scotland within Edinburgh Castle.

The Commissioners gave detailed and extensive consideration to both proposals and initiated a public engagement to gather views from both the public and organisational stakeholders. The consultation concluded on 19 September 2019 with a total of 1,825 responses received. Details of those responses that respondents have agreed can be made public are being published today and can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800045200 .

In addition to the public engagement exercise, the Commissioners undertook comprehensive scrutiny of both proposals. Following due consideration, the Commissioners were satisfied that the proposals for Perth City Hall gave full and proper regard to the need to ensure the security and conservation of the Stone, its accessibility to the general public and that it would be displayed in a manner in keeping with such an important cultural artefact. The Commissioners also concluded that there would be considerable merit in relocating the Stone to assist with the ongoing regeneration of Perth.

Following that consideration the Commissioners recommended to Her Majesty that the Stone of Destiny should be relocated to Perth when the City Hall refurbishment has been completed, with the opening currently planned for early 2024. Her Majesty has graciously accepted the Commissioners’ advice.

On behalf of the Commissioners, officials in the Scottish Government will work with Perth and Kinross Council to ensure that plans are in place for the transfer of the Stone to the Perth when the planned works are satisfactorily completed. Plans will also be in place to ensure that the Stone can be returned safely and timeously to Westminster Abbey for future Coronations.

The Commissioners wish to express their gratitude to Historic Environment Scotland for their stewardship and care of the Stone since its return to Scotland in 1996. The Commissioners also welcome that Historic Environment Scotland will continue to make available to Perth and Kinross Council its expertise to assist with the ongoing conservation of the Stone.