The Destiny Stone

Scotland's Stone of Destiny is the most famous symbol of both Scottish nationhood and the British monarchy. This is the first full-length, fully researched and illustrated study of its history, mythology, and cultural significance. The author traces the origin, evolution, and function of myths surrounding the Stone, and the ancient prophecy that gives the Stone its name. The Stone's much-disputed authenticity is assessed, and its rich symbolism discussed.

A Scottish national hero tells the story of a daring exploit that rocked Great Britain—and the love of country that inspired it. Ian Robertson Hamilton was an unknown law student at Glasgow University—until Christmas Eve 1950. On that night, assisted by Alan Stuart, Gavin Vernon, and Kay Matheson, he took the Stone of Destiny from beneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. The stone, once used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs, had been taken nearly seven centuries earlier by Edward I, and its recovery was a major symbolic victory, making Hamilton a Scottish national hero. In England, however, the act had the opposite effect, and a manhunt for the “vulgar vandals” was launched to satisfy the outrage of the English establishment and bring the perpetrators to justice. In the end, the Stone was given up, but the gang was not charged. This solitary act set Hamilton on a path for the rest of his life—from which he has not diverged. Decades after that fateful night, the story still holds people spellbound when Hamilton recounts it. In this book, Ian Hamilton sets down the chain of events that led to his decision to go to London and remove the Stone and provides a minute-by-minute account of the act and the aftermath. The basis of a major Hollywood film starring Robert Carlyle and Billy Boyd, The Stone of Destiny is not simply a retelling of a stunt that made nationwide news. It is a book about how a nation’s conscience was stirred by a symbolic act that changed the lives of many.

The Stone of Destiny, Stone of Scone or Coronation Stone, is a relatively unattractive and unappealing slab of stone but it is also a unique symbol in Scottish history, linked to royal inaugurations. At a conference organised by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1997 participants focused on the stone as both object and symbol', discussing its origins, authenticity, its role as a national icon, its removal and loss, and its final return to Scotland in 1996. A range of different approaches were taken assessing the geology of the stone, its ceremonial functions, its links with Scone and Scone Abbey and its turbulent history. Contributors include:

Morgan Izaak learns that there is an Irish Stone of Destiny in his own town and sets out to find it in order to save his dying mother, but he and his friend, Eny, must battle mysterious creatures who are also looking for the object.

This title is now a major Hollywood film starring Robert Carlyle and Billy Boyd. Ian Robertson Hamilton was an unknown law student at Glasgow University until Christmas Eve 1950. On that night, assisted by Alan Stewart, Gavin Vernon and Kay Matheson, he took the Stone of Destiny from beneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey and in doing so became a Scottish national hero. In England, however, the act had the opposite effect and a manhunt for the 'vulgar vandals' was started to satisfy the outrage of the English establishment and bring them to justice. In the end, the Stone was given up, but the gang were not charged. This solitary act set Hamilton on a path for the rest of his life from which he has not diverged. Although, it is now nearly sixty years since that fateful night, it is the actual events surrounding the taking of the Stone which hold people spellbound when Hamilton recounts them. In this book, Ian Hamilton has set down the chain of events which led to his decision to go to London, remove the Stone and a minute-by-minute account of the act and the aftermath. But this is not simply a retelling of a stunt that made nationwide news, it is a book about how a nation's conscience was stirred by a symbolic act that changed lives of many.

Begin the journey; discover your destiny... Set against a backdrop of Scottish myths and legends, follow the epic quest by a changeling, a selkie and a prince to find an ancient and powerful object, and save the kingdom. Ailsa doesn't believe in faerie tales, only the monsters in them. But, with the mark on her face, most people consider her one of them - a changeling. Her secluded life shifts when she rescues two selkies from bloodthirsty raiders. Now she must act as their guard as they travel to the capital and then, with the help of the Prince of Eilanmor, journey north to find The Stone of Destiny - the only object protecting them all from the evil faerie queen. But all her life a malignant creature has stalked her through the forest.Can Ailsa find The Stone of Destiny before something wicked finds her?

The best place to hide a secret is in the past... but the past can be uncovered. An ancient Scottish legend tells of Taine Rory Mhor, banished for 7 generations by the king to a far-away land. A few days later, in April 1296, the English invaded Scotland, captured the sacred and mythical 'Stone of Scone' and transported it south, to Westminster Abbey where it has been used in every coronation since. Or has it...? In July 2005 as London celebrated winning the rights to host the 2012 Olympic Games, a series of deadly explosions ripped through the city. On the same day in Scotland the G12 Summit of world leaders was interrupted as protesters stole the Stone Of Scone from a temporary display in the lobby of the Gleneagles Hotel. So continued a chain of events set in motion over 700 years before. Events, which if allowed to follow their course would lead to Armageddon - The End of Days - The annihilation of 4 billion people. One last holy war could destroy the world. Unless the riddle is solved of a mysterious green stone kept hidden in Buckingham Palace for the last 150 years. Read the first instalment - 'Milkshake' - also available on Amazon.

The Honours of Scotland tells the turbulent story of the Honours - Scotland's crown jewels - and the equally dramatic tale of the Stone of Destiny.Over the centuries, Scotland's monarchy experienced relentless conflict and shifts in power. But throughout all of the struggles, there remained one stalwart reminder of the authority of the monarchy: the Honours of Scotland. For centuries, these priceless objects were entangled in the intrigues of Scottish noble and royal families. Hidden, stolen, mended, remade - and now taking pride of place on display in Edinburgh Castle - their survival depended on the brave actions of many Scots.Existing at the crossroads of myth and tradition, ceremony and legitimacy, the Honours and the Stone of Destiny transcended the sway of individual kings and queens to become proud symbols of Scottish identity and power.