A first-hand account of a daring raid which has become one of the most famous of modern Scottish history is being told to Arbroath Abbey visitors.
On Christmas Day 1950, four Scottish students snatched the Stone of Destiny from under the Coronation throne in Westminster Abbey, sparking a nationwide police hunt.
Four months later the attention of the whole country turned to Angus after the stone was deposited on the site of the high altar at Arbroath Abbey.
The historic artefact was returned to Westminster and now resides in Edinburgh Castle, but the fascinating story of its unexpected arrival in Arbroath is being told in a new display at the attraction.
As part of the display, Ian Hamilton, a former advocate and one of the students involved in the removal of the stone, has recorded an interview which gives a first-hand account of the event.
In it, he explains the group’s reasons for choosing Arbroath and the events leading up to the day.
An audio-visual tour including extracts of the interview with Mr Hamilton appears alongside a life-size replica of the Stone of Destiny, which has been put on display for the first time within the abbey.
Lorna Ewan of Historic Scotland said: “Arbroath Abbey has a long and fascinating history.
“This new display will explore one of the most recent and perhaps one of the most famous events in its long history.”
Arbroath Abbey Action Group chairman, Harry Ritchie, who was at the landmark on the day the stone was placed there, said the new display was an additional bonus for visitors.
“We welcome the move as another development in the joint working which is succeeding in raising the profile of Arbroath Abbey,” he said.
“This is another historic point of interest relating to Arbroath Abbey, as this was the site in the whole of Scotland where the persons who removed the stone from Westminster Abbey, thought was the most fitting place to deliver it.”