WELCOME to the Scots national talent show where, once again, we can cut each other’s throats to save everybody else the bother. Edinburgh wants to keep the stone that Perth wants returned to (near) where it belongs, and they’re going to argue about it (Edinburgh and Perth in row over Stone of Destiny, August 17).
This is the stone upon which it is believed the Kings of Scots were crowned. Or was it? Did Edward Longshanks, whilst he and all the other so-called royalty and nobility were busy robbing, stealing and murdering in the pursuit of some kind of satisfaction of their psychopathic greed, half-inch it, or did some monk hide the original?
READ MORE: Edinburgh and Perth in row over plan to move Stone of Destiny
Don’t bother coming back at me about times were different either. Times were certainly different, but the attitudes differed only in degree. Was the (supposed) stone not removed from captivity in Westminster Abbey by some enterprising students cocking a snook at the British establishment, a baur, a mickey take, just to let them know that we don’t actually care what they think?
Did the big fat polis who sat in our close on the off-chance that my father, a very peripheral SNP activist, had it concealed under the box-bed get paid his overtime, and which one of several copies went back?
Did not the unbelievable Michael Forsyth believe that humphing the (perhaps) Stone of Destiny back across the Border would silence the desire for Scottish emancipation? Did it? Did it Hell!
Now, when that very Destiny is comin ower the hill, let’s a’ get intae each other’s mince aboot a big chucky, which, in the great scheme of things, matters not a whit. The past is past. I, personally, would be delighted if nobody parked their bum on the thing ever again, because the very institution is a nod of approval to the murder and theft in which the myth is rooted. If you really want to take part in the great circus, away and plant your foot in the hole in the stone at Dunaad. No. Wait a minute. It’s only a copy.
Les Hunter
Lanark
EDINBURGH hosts the international festival, Hogmanay celebration, book and film festivals, Scottish Parliament and has an all-round extremely healthy tourist footfall. Has it occurred to the city fathers that there is a Scotland beyond the Central Belt?
The Stone of Destiny should historically go to Perth. There is a danger of the Central Belt in Scotland becoming the “go to” for everything! I am surprised Edinburgh didn’t try to snaffle the V&A from under Dundee’s nose.
There needs to be a greater distribution of attractions throughout Scottish cities. Come on Edinburgh – stop trying to totally hog the limelight and share a bit. Giving Perth the Stone isn’t going to bankrupt you!
Frieda Burns
via email
I AGREE with the comment by Ray H (Website Comments, August 18) that “too many of Scotland’s historical and cultural artifacts have been moved to Edinburgh”.
Many years ago, when the idea of Edinburgh having an “Edinburgh weighting allowance” was being floated in the media, I wrote to the then First Minister Donald Dewar asking that he dismiss any such idea, arguing that in England all/most headquarters of public bodies were based in London.
The London Parliament, itself funded by taxpayers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, also attracts private bodies that wish to be located near it, hence London employees given this allowance, hence the high cost of housing for all public and private workers.
Here in Scotland we do not want this non-functioning system. The Scottish Government should (I believe they did this with the Forestry Commission) spread out the HQs of public bodies to appropriate cities around Scotland, ie oil to Aberdeen etc, and not create a hotspot part of the country.
Michael Loughrey
via email
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