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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