Crown Jewels of Scotland & The Stone of Destiny

Honours of Scotland

• These are Scotland's crown jewels.
• It's the collective name for a jewel encrusted crown, an elaborate sword and a sceptre.
• They date from the 15th and 16th centuries.
• They are the oldest regalia in the British Isles (the emblems of royalty).

History

• They were first used together to crown the infant Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in 1543.
• They were then also used at the coronations of James VI in 1567, and Charles I in 1633 before the English Civil War.
• During this tumultuous period in the mid-17th century they were hidden to keep them safe from Oliver Cromwell. They weren't used again until the Restoration when Charles II was crowned in 1651.
• Firstly they were hidden at Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire, then were smuggled out during a siege and buried a few miles away in Kinneff parish church for nine years - until the monarchy was restored in 1660.
• They were then used at sittings of the first Scottish Parliament to represent the monarch.
• After the Treaty of Union in 1707, they weren't needed so, just like in a fairytale, they were locked away in a chest in Edinburgh Castle and forgotten about for over 100 years.
• It wasn't until 1818 when pressure from Sir Walter Scott brought about a search for them in the castle that they were found.
• They were hidden again during the Second World War for fear of a Nazi invasion.
• In total, they've been hidden away three times.

• It's not known exactly where the Stone of Destiny came from.
• Theories include biblical origins or the stone being made in Scotland.
• It's actually quite plain and unremarkable in appearance - unlike its colourful history.
• It's been used for enthroning Scottish monarchs at Iona, Dunadd and Scone.
• You can see a replica stone in the grounds of Scone Palace in Perthshire (pictured).
• In March 2024 it moved to its new home at the rennovated Perth Museum.