Return of the Stone of Scone

1951 The Stone of Scone (known in Gaelic as Lia Fail, 'the speaking stone'; aka the Coronation Stone and Stone of Destiny) was returned to Westminster Abbey, London, having been taken from there by Scottish nationalists on the previous Christmas Day. On this day, the odd-looking block was placed again amidst Westminster's fine decorations, directly beneath the English monarch's throne where it had incongruously sat for centuries.

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, and the Coronation Stone, is a block of sandstone historically kept at the now-ruined abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland. It is also known as Jacob's Pillow and as the Tanist Stone.

In Celtic mythology, the Lia Fail was a magical stone brought to Ireland by the Tuatha de Danaan. When the rightful King of Ireland put his feet on it, the stone was said to roar in joy. This is believed to be the origin of the Stone of Destiny ...

Categories: scotland, history, folklore