That’s definitely not the real Stone of Scone above. It’s an ancient standing stone at Finlaggan on the Isle of Islay.
But is the official stone, the one pictured below, the real stone? See BBC article about this stone as it heads south to be used in the latest coronation.
History of the Real Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny, was used in the inauguration of Scottish Kings for centuries. In 1296 the English King, Edward I, took the stone from Scotland and incorporated it as part of his new ‘Coronation Chair’. Or did he?
Fobbed Off and Spirited Off?
Early mentions of the stone describe it as black and shiny, polished and beautiful. It’s rumoured that Edward was fobbed off with a worthless rock that was actually a drain cover, while the real stone was spirited off and hidden safely away.
One legend states that the original stone was buried at Finlaggan, the medieval Seat of the Lordship of the Isles, by Angus Og of Clan Donald.
Finlaggan is a quiet and remote place. It’s easy to believe that it might hide secrets.
An archaeological dig there was abandoned when money ran out.
If the stone is at Finlaggan, I suspect it might be on the Council Island, the place of important discussions and decisions. Maybe the island was also the site of a few laughs about kingly bottoms sitting over what was actually a drain plug?
More articles and posts
Older article about the stone from the Herald, referencing Finlaggan: So which is fake, and which the genuine article?
See my earlier post about visiting Islay
Historical Novel Society Review of Sisters
“In the vein of Lucy Holland’s Sistersong with the narrative style of Rena Rossner’s The Sisters of the Winter Wood, Sinclair’s novel centers on two sisters and is told from Morragh’s point of view. The prose is deeply personal to Morragh’s struggles.”
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Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you found it interesting 🙂
This is so interesting. So rich a story is spoken by a stone. Thanks for sharing this to us to far away to ever know.
We do have a lot of strange stories in our history here. Deceiving the English is a common theme 🙂
Really enjoyed this.
Good 🙂
Good and interesting details. I think it’s hilarious that Charles may be sitting over a drain cover for his coronation!
In some versions of the tale, the stone that was handed over was the lid of a cesspit!
Oooh intrigue …
Yes, lovely intrigue 🙂
Going to Islay in September (from US) and look forward to exploring such things.
I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
Interesting and timely post. I’m betting on it being fake.
Me too.
Fascinating and your pictures show Scotland to be exactly as I’ve always imagined.
It was a very rainy day 🙂
Fascinating, Ailish, and has me wondering. 🙂
🙂
hehe. Thanks for sharing this story. History is full of amazing stories that are as amazing as the most imaginative fiction. 😀
Indeed it is 🙂
Those who know the Scottish sense of humor find this to be an entirely plausible troll of the English Crown!
Yes 🙂
I hope, sincerely, that this is true… and even if it’s not… that rumour and doubt spread… Luckily, I will have better things to do on the day. Anyway, thank you for this and very best wishes!
I suspect it is true.
An intriguing mystery!
Indeed 🙂
I’m wondering…when you say the stone was used for the king’s inauguration, in what way?
They sat on it. Possibly directly on it in the more ancient past, but later (and today) it was under/in the throne.
That’s interesting…
Finlaggan — your photos show exactly the sort of day we had there. It was a mysterious remote place to hold such power.
Lots of rainy days in the western isles 🙂
In my mind, it’s rather humbling how little we know about our own human nature.
True.
Thank you for liking and following my blog today. It brought me to yours, which is rich and very interesting. I’m very interested in your novels as well. I’m telling myself. I must finish reading the books. I have in my stack before I order yours but we’ll see.
You’re most welcome. I also have a large TBR pile!
I love Scotland and learning about its history. This is so fascinating! Thanks for sharing
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Andrew Grieg’s novel, Romanno Bridge, deals with a fictional hiding of The Stone. He brings in the Islay site.
On the whole not such a good book, but.
That’s interesting. I’d not heard of the book.