A MAN is set to appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday after allegedly smashing the protective glass casing of the Stone of Destiny.
Visitors said a man in a kilt attempted to smash through the display case on Saturday, July 12, around 2pm in Perth Museum.
The museum was evacuated and a 35-year-old was later arrested and charged in connection.
No injuries were reported and Perth Museum said the stone, which was used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries, was not damaged in the incident.
A tourist visiting from the Philippines, Elle Alvarez, posted a video of the incident on Facebook, writing: “An absolutely epic moment is unfolding right before our eyes here at the Perth Museum!”
Alvarez said the man allegedly claimed to be the “chief of his clan” and that he has “a right to the throne”.
Police reportedly responded quickly to the incident, with visitors evacuated and the area “closed off” as a result.
Alvarez said: “This ancient stone holds deep significance for Scotland; it’s a symbol of power, history, and identity.
“And today, its story grew even more dramatic when a man [in] his kilt attempted to smash the glass in an apparent bid to seize it.”
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, was taken from Scotland during the Wars of Independence before being kept in Westminster Abbey.
On Christmas Day, 1950, four Glasgow University students managed to steal the stone and temporarily return it to Scotland. It was officially returned in 1996, where it resided in Edinburgh Castle before being transferred to Perth Museum in 2024.
In a 2023 incident, activists from This is Rigged smashed the stone’s protective glass cabinet and sprayed “Is Treasa Tuath Na Tighearna” – Gaelic for “The People Are Mightier Than A Lord” – on the glass, leading to the closure of Edinburgh Castle for the remainder of the day.
A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday 12 July 2025, where a man was arrested.
“Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display. We are assisting Police Scotland with their enquiries so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
