A 35-year-old Sydney man has appeared in a Scottish court charged with “malicious mischief”, an offence that resembles vandalism.
He’s accused of trying to break into a museum display to access a centuries-old stone with a rich history.
Arnaud Logan is accused of breaking the glass casing that protects the Stone of Destiny in Perth Museum, about 50 kilometres north of Edinburgh.
He faced court today after allegedly trying to smash through the stone’s display case while wearing a kilt about 2pm (11pm AEST) on Saturday.
Visitors were evacuated as a precaution and a message added to the museum website.
“Please be aware that The Stone of Destiny Experience is currently unavailable due to an earlier incident,” it said.
“Perth Museum remains open and we look forward to seeing you soon.”
The 150-kilogram slab of sandstone was used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries.
The tourist who filmed the incident alleged the Australian “claimed to be the leader of his clan, insisting he has a rightful claim to the throne”.
Logan will remain behind bars until a hearing next week.
This is just the latest twist in the long history of the royal rock.
It was stolen from Scotland in the 13th century and installed at London’s Westminster Abbey.
In the 1950s, four Glasgow university students took it back.
It was a central symbol in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation before it was permanently returned to Scotland in the 1990s.
Just two years ago, the stone went on loan to London, lying beneath King Edward’s Chair as King Charles assumed the throne.
