The glass display protecting the rare artefact was broken and the stone was not damaged in the incident. What is the Stone of Destiny and why is it so important in British history?
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A 35-year-old man has been arrested after glass protecting the Stone of Destiny was broken at Perth Museum in Scotland.
Police were called to St John’s Place on Saturday following reports of a disturbance at the museum.
The glass display case protecting the Stone of Destiny was smashed. The rare artefact was not damaged.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “At around 1.55pm on Saturday July 12, 2025, Police Scotland received a call regarding a disturbance at Perth Museum. A 35-year-old man was subsequently arrested. Enquiries are continuing.”
What is the Stone of Destiny?
Also known as the Stone of Scone, the Stone of Destiny is a 152kg stone used in the coronation of Scottish kings until the 13th century and then used in the coronation of English monarchs for more than 500 years.
The historic artefact was originally kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth. It was taken from Scotland during the Wars of Independence, with the forces of Edward I of England capturing it in 1296.
On Christmas Day 1950, a group of four Scottish students managed to remove the stone from Westminster Abbey, where it was lodged in King Edward’s coronation throne. The students intended to return it to Scotland.
The stone was returned to Westminster four months after the notorious removal – with rumours at the time suggesting that the returned stone was a forgery.
In 1996, the Stone of Destiny was returned to Scotland, and kept in Edinburgh Castle.
It was used during King Charles III’ coronation and since March 2024, it has been on permanent public display at Perth Museum.
