EDINBURGH Castle has been locked down by police after protesters smashed glass containing the Stone of Destiny.
Cops were called to the scene after activists smashed the glass casing containing the stone earlier today.
AlamyEdinburgh Castle has been locked down by police[/caption]
It’s understood parts of the historic landmark have been closed off to tourists while police deal with the incident.
Campaign group This is Rigged say they are behind the incident.
The group claim they smashed the glass with pink hammers and spray painted the words “Is Treasa Tuath Na Tighearna”, which translates to “The People Are Mightier Than A Lord”, onto the glass, alongside the group’s logo.
They claim the latest stunt was to demand action from the Scottish Government over the cost of living crisis.
The activists are calling for supermarkets to slash the prices of baby products.
They have also called for the Scottish Government to fully fund a community food hub per every 500 households.
Officers confirmed three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.45am we were called to a report of a small protest within Edinburgh Castle.
“Officers attended and two women aged 20 and 24 years, and a 20-year-old man were arrested in connection with damage caused.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
The Stone of Destiny has been used for centuries in the coronations of monarchs and the inauguration of Scottish kings.
The earliest use of the stone and exactly how and when it became associated with king-making remains unknown, but legends around its origin strongly link it with kingship and the emergence of Scotland as a nation.
It was officially returned to Scotland in November 1996 and put on display at Edinburgh Castle on St Andrew’s Day that year.
Edinburgh Castle attracted over 1.3million visitors in 2022 and was Scotland’s second most-visited behind The National Museum of Scotland which pulled in 1.9million.
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