Glasgow students avoid jail after vandalising Stone of Destiny cabinet at Edinburgh Castle

Two Glasgow students have avoided jail after vandalising the glass cabinet housing the Stone of Destiny and the Crown of Scotland during a protest at Edinburgh Castle.

The incident on 15th November 2023 caused nearly £3,000 worth of damage and was linked to the campaign group, This is Rigged. The pair, Jamie Priest, 26, and Catriona Roberts, 22, carried out the act to highlight food poverty in Scotland.

According to Glasgow Live, the protest unfolded as a tour group reached the Crown Room. A tour guide heard someone shout: “This is a peaceful protest,” before witnessing Priest filming whilst another activist spray-painted the cabinet.

Roberts and the male activist then struck the cabinet with a pinch hammer and chisel, as Roberts shouted slogans including: “Baby products to be reduced to pre-Covid prices” and “There is no heritage without the people.”

A Gaelic phrase spray-painted on the cabinet, later translated as “the people are mightier than a Lord,” was part of their demonstration.

Court proceedings and sentencing

Both defendants admitted to maliciously causing damage but denied breaching the peace. They were sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 5th December, with Roberts receiving 180 hours of unpaid work and Priest 120 hours.

During the trial, Roberts, a Strathclyde University student, said: “This was not done out of malice […] But when 24 per cent of Scotland experiences food insecurity, and parents are criminalised for trying to feed their children, urgent action is needed.”

Priest, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, expressed regret for the damage caused, saying they would seek non-criminal methods for future activism. Their solicitor, Steven Donald, described the act as “a misguided stunt” intended to spotlight the cost-of-living crisis and rising baby product costs.

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Sheriff Alistair Noble acknowledged the protest’s motivation but condemned the criminality, stating: “You pled guilty to maliciously damaging a display case containing artefacts of national significance. While I understand your motivation, the damage caused cannot be justified.”

Historical significance of the Stone

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, has played a central role in Scottish and British history. It was seized by King Edward I in 1296 and incorporated into the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey.

In 1950, a group of Scottish students famously reclaimed the stone from Westminster Abbey, sparking a wave of nationalist sentiment. Officially returned to Scotland in 1996, the stone now resides at Edinburgh Castle, where it was displayed until its use in the coronation of King Charles III last year.

The Crown Room was briefly closed following the protest, with repairs to the protective glass costing £2,798. Historic Environment Scotland has since reopened the exhibit, emphasising the importance of preserving Scotland’s national heritage.

Protest group statement

Following the incident, This is Rigged released a statement defending the protest: “Food is a human right. Hunger is a political choice. We acted to highlight the devastating effects of food poverty in Scotland.”

The organisation continues to call for systemic changes to address food insecurity and poverty across the nation.

Featured image via Pixabay