Stone of Destiny: Robin Hood-style band of nationalists struck a blow for Scottish pride
The Stone of Destiny theft in 1950 forced the closure of the border between Scotland and England for the first time in 400 years. December 24, 2020, 10:20 am
The Stone of Destiny was taken from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950 and eventually turned up in Arbroath in April 1951.
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The Stone of Destiny theft in 1950 forced the closure of the border between Scotland and England for the first time in 400 years.
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The four students- Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Alan Stuart and Kay Matheson, all members of the Scottish Covenant Association which campaigned for a devolved Scottish assembly, planned to get it back.
They drove to London in two Ford Anglias a few days before Christmas to map out their plan with Mr Hamilton then hiding in the abbey on the 23rd. He had tools hidden in his pockets to unscrew the locks on one of the doors and let the rest of the group in.
But after being spotted by a nightwatchman, he had to talk his way out of the church and then returned two days later with his accomplices to crow bar open a side door.
CHRISTMAS Day on Friday marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most daring anti-establishment acts in Scotland’s modern history. On that day in 1950, four young Scots caused a national outcry and made global news when they snatched the iconic Stone of Destiny from under the nose of the UK Government to bring it home to Scotland. Used to crown Scottish kings and queens in ancient times, it was stolen by Edward I in 1296, and used to crown English, then British monarchs. By 1950 it was kept in Westminster Abbey. In today’s Sunday National, writer Gerry Hassan outlines why the recovery of the Stone caused consternation south of the Border and joy in Scotland.
New book reveals why Winston Churchill feared returning the Stone of Destiny to Scotland thetimes.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetimes.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SCOTLAND has always had a tradition of stories, legends and myths which have given sustenance to history and identity. One of the most evocative over the years has been that of the recovery of the Stone of Destiny on Christmas Day in 1950 – the 70th anniversary of which is next week. The Stone of Destiny has an important role in Scottish, English and British history; it even has different names and is known in official royal circles as “the Coronation Stone” and also as “the Stone of Scone”. It was used to crown Scottish kings and queens in ancient times, was taken by the English Edward I in 1296, and used to crown English and then British monarchs. In the mystery and mumbo jumbo of all things monarchical, the Stone – which came to reside in Westminster Abbey was seen to possess mystical powers that were transferred to the monarch in the coronation ceremony. This mythical and magical powers were thus viewed as almost transcendental.