Friend of woman who took Stone of Destiny says she would be 'chuffed' to see it in Perth
Kay Matheson was one of four Glasgow University students who travelled to Westminster Abbey in 1950 and brought the stone to Scotland.
Last updated 23rd Mar 2024
A close friend of the woman involved in an audacious raid of the Stone of the Destiny says she would be "chuffed to bits" to see it in a new Perth museum.
Kay Matheson was one of four Glasgow University students who travelled to Westminster Abbey in 1950 and brought the stone to Scotland.
The historic coronation stone will soon be revealed in the museum, close to Scone where it was taken by King Edward I troops in 1296.
Mairi Mackenzie feels Kay, who was a leading figure in the plot, would be pleased to know about its new home.
Kay had "lots of stories" about Stone of Destiny
Born and raised in the Wester Ross village of Inverasdale, Kay became a teacher following her involvement in bringing the stone to Scotland.
Alongside Ian Hamilton, Alan Stuart and Gavin Vernon, Kay traveled to London before she managed to avoid police and cross the border with the stone.
After it broke in two pieces, the students placed the stone in Arbroath Abbey, five months after taking it from London.
Prior to her passing in 2013, Kay attended a ceremony in 1996 when the object was transferred to Edinburgh Castle as a symbolic gesture.
Mairi, who was also one of Kay's former pupils, outlined how she had many tales about the artefact.
She said: "She did tell us lots of stories that it wasn't the real stone, that it was buried in her garden and if you dug the garden you would find the stone.
"Some people believe that to this day.
"She was full of fun and just lovely.
"She would be chuffed to bits now, I'm sure she would.
"I'm quite sure she would've gone down to the museum.
72-year-old Mairi also explained how Kay's cheeky demand backfired when police turned up at her parents home trying to locate the stone.
She added: "She would't speak in English, she said she would only speak in her natural tongue.
"But she didn't realise one of the London police officers was originally from Stornoway.
"When she was chatting away in Gaelic he answered her in Gaelic, so that was a bit of a shock."
None of those involved in taking the stone from London in 1950 faced prosecution.
It has been used to crown monarchs for more than 1000 years, most recently King Charles III last year.
Last week, the artefact went on display at Edinburgh Castle for the final time.
The new Perth museum, featuring the Stone of Destiny, opens to the public on March 30th.