London
AP
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An Australian man has been charged with “malicious pranks” allegedly smashing a glass case that holds the stone of destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish national character.
Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared in Perth Sheriff Court on Monday and faced charges similar to vandalism.
Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, was not asked to enter the petition and was taken into custody until next week’s hearing.
Police said they were called to “abusive” at the Perth Museum in Central Scotland on Saturday after reports of a quilted man trying to crush a case that includes the Royal Rock.
The 335 pound (150 kilograms) sandstone block, also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon), was used in the Crown Ceremony of the Medieval Scottish Monarch at Scone Abbey near Perth. It was stolen by King Edward I of England in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was set up under a seat in a coral coronation chair.
It has since been used in the Corner Crown in Monasteries. First in English, then in the 17th century, under one monarch.
The presence of stones in London has long been annoying Scottish nationalists. It was stolen from Westminster Abbey in 1950 by four students at the University of Glasgow, but was returned in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s Corner Ceremony in 1953.
He was returned to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after the attack, and was exhibited at Edinburgh Castle, and understood that he would return to England for use in future Corner Coronation. Sensitivity around the stone meant that in 2023, they had to move to London in secret, in the harsh safety of Charles III’s Corner Crown.
Last year, the museum was exhibited at the newly renovated Perth Museum, saying, “To protect this valuable object, 24/7 security measures are in place at the museum to protect it.”
Cultural Perth and Kinross, who oversee the museum, said the stones were not damaged in the incident.
