Eco-warriors sealed off Edinburgh Castle and smashed the Stone of Destiny
Edinburgh Castle was closed when activists smashed the chest containing the Stone of Destiny.
Protest groups have reportedly smashed the glass case containing the Stone of Destiny in a protest to demand action on Scotland’s cost of living crisis.
Campaign group This Is Rigged claimed to be behind the attack.
Edinburgh Castle is closed
(Getty Images)
The Stone of Destiny is an ancient symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, and has been used for centuries at the investiture ceremonies of its kings.
It was captured by the forces of Edward I of Scone during the English invasion of Scotland in 1296, and was used at the coronation of the kings of England.
The stone was placed under King Edward’s chair – where most English and later British kings were crowned
(public domain)
In 1914, it was damaged during a bombing campaign for women’s suffrage, resulting in the Stone of Destiny breaking into two pieces.
The damage was not discovered until Christmas Day 1950, when a group of four Scottish nationalist students removed the sacred object from Westminster Abbey, with the aim of returning it to Scotland.
During the daring raid, the stone was found broken. The group buried it at the campsite before burying much of it in the Kent field where they were camping.
Despite the British state’s search for the missing artifact, the group was able to return it to the altar of Arbroath Abbey.
The Metropolitan Police found him just four months later and returned him to Westminster.
But the theft sparked a growing debate about Scottish identity, and in 1996 the British government announced that the stone would be returned to Scotland – 700 years after it was first stolen.
The Stone of Destiny played a major role in the coronation of King Charles
((Susanna Ireland/PA))
Today the red sandstone is one of the priceless treasures on display in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle. It is said that the stone will not leave Scotland again until it is crowned at Westminster Abbey.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At around 10.45am, we were called to a report of a small protest inside Edinburgh Castle.
“Officers attended and two women, aged 20 and 24, and a 20-year-old man were arrested in relation to the damage caused.
“Inquiries are continuing.”
In March, This Is Rigged smashed the glass bearing Braveheart, also known as the Sword of William Wallace, to demand an end to all new fossil fuel projects in Scotland.
