Scotland's Stone of Destiny

                             Scotland's Stone of Destiny         

The Lia Fail, also known as the Stone of Destiny is said to have originated in Palastine and was transported through Syria, Egypt, Sicily, Spain and on to Tara in Ireland, before arriving in Scotland where it was used when Scottish Monarchs were crowned. In 1296 Edward the first, did take a block, cut from Perthshire sandstone, to Westminster. However it is said that Bishop Robert Wishart of Glasgow had hidden the original Black Basalt Stone of Destiny marked with hieroglyphics, and replaced it with a block of Perthshire sandstone. Its been said, that on  25th March 1306 and 26th March 1306, Robert the Bruce, went through his first and second Coronation ceremony sitting on the Black Basalt Lia Fail, with the vestments being placed around his shoulders and on the second Coronation ceremony a simple circlet of gold was placed on his head by Isabel Countess of Buchan. Bishop William de Lamberton anointed him with oil, and it was said, Isabel Countess of Buchan lifted the golden circlet and placed it on his brow, and he was truly King of Scots according to every tradition. It was said that Robert the Bruce sat on "the kingis  stole " ( stool ), nor were any kings in wont to reign anywhere in Scotland, unless they had on receiving the name of the king, first sat upon this Royal Stone of Scone. I include this part of the  exercise regarding the Lia Fail in order, to highlight two of the major players Bishop Robert Wishart and Bishop William de Lamberton who were Loyal to Bruce and Scotland, and who made a major contribution to Scotlands History, by enabling Robert the Bruce to become King and guaranteeing that Scotland be an Independent Nation,in its own right.