A man has been arrested after glass protecting the Stone of Destiny was broken in an incident at Perth Museum.
Visitors said that a man wearing a kilt attempted to smash through the stone’s display case at about 14:00 on Saturday.
The building was evacuated and a 35-year-old man was later arrested and charged by police. There were no reported injuries.
Perth Museum said the historic stone, used in the coronation of Scottish kings for hundreds of years, was not damaged in the incident.
Tourist Elle Alvarez, visiting Scotland from the Philippines, said police cars arrived quickly at the museum.
She added: “It’s honestly surreal, like something out of a historical drama or an action film.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish our tour because of the incident.
“Huge credit to the staff at Perth Museum for handling the situation with such calm and professionalism, making sure all visitors were safe and looked after.”
The 150kg object, also known as the Stone of Scone, was taken from Scotland during the Wars of Independence.
It was lodged in King Edward’s carved-oak coronation throne at Westminster Abbey where it remained for 700 years.
Over Christmas in 1950, four Glasgow University students notoriously managed to steal the stone from the Abbey and temporarily return it to Scotland.
The stone returned for permanent display in Scotland in 1996 at Edinburgh Castle and last year it moved to its current home in Perth.
A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum where a man was arrested.
“Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display.”
“We are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries.”
A Police Scotland said the 35-year-old man would appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday.
