Wester Ross schoolteacher’s infamous role in Stone of Destiny heist is retold
THE dramatic story of a Wester Ross schoolteacher instrumental in a plot to bring the Stone of Destiny back to Scotland is being retold for a new generation.
Meanbh-chuileag, Fèisean nan Gàidheal's theatre-in-education service for Gaelic medium pupils, is back on tour with a new story about the history of the Stone of Destiny and its removal from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950.
The tour will visit more than 35 primary schools across the country this year, amongst them Dingwall and Lochcarron primaries. Cà' Deach a' Chlach? (Where Did the Stone Go?) started this week and runs through September.
Cà' Deach a' Chlach? takes its title from a well-known Gaelic song composed by Dòmhnall Ruadh Phàislig (Donald MacIntyre, the Paisley Bard). It will focus on two characters who were instrumental in the plot to return the Stone of Destiny to Scotland, Ian Hamilton and Kay Matheson, a Gaelic-speaking primary school teacher originally from Inverasdale by Loch Ewe.
They felt very strongly about independence for Scotland and felt this act would send a strong message to the UK Government. None of the four involved in the removal of the stone were ever punished for it.
Although the Stone of Destiny was almost immediately returned to London upon its discovery, it was finally returned to Scotland in 1996 and, since March 2024, it has been on display at the brand-new Perth Museum.
The news of the new exhibition provided inspiration to Fèisean nan Gàidheal's drama officer, Angus MacLeod, and prompted him to write about the story: "When I read that the stone was due to return to Perthshire back in March I thought it would be interesting to produce a play based on the subject.
“I first became aware of the story of the stone through Roddy Campbell's version of Òran na Cloiche, a well-known Gaelic song about the event composed by Dòmhnall Ruadh Phàislig. A rendition of this song will feature in the play thanks to the musical talents of the actors."
The play will be brought to life by Claire Frances MacNeil (OMC!, Pròiseact Plòigh) and Fergus Munro (Passion, Salt and Light), two actors well-versed in Fèisean nan Gàidheal's drama tours and other Fèisgoil projects.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal voiced thanks to its regular funders Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their support in enabling these drama tours to go ahead.
