PRICELESS TREASURES stolen last year have been returned to their Dunkeld Cathedral home.

Relics dating back as far as the 17th century were stolen from the cathedral in a raid in May, leaving parishioners devastated and fearing they would never see the irreplaceable items again.

But there was jubilation this week as all but one of the nine pieces were handed back to cathedral staff by police after they were found in a nearby field.

The thieves are thought to have buried their haul and kept just one pewter plate to hawk around for sale.

It is believed they realised they could not find a buyer with such publicity surrounding the distinctive items and decided not to risk returning for the rest.

Session clerk Colonel David Arbuthnott said the congregation are delighted to see their treasures returned.

He said, “It means so much more than the monetary value because they are so closely connected to the community and the church going back hundreds of years.

“Everything except one pewter plate came back. I understand it never went further than a couple of fields away where it was found buried.

“The police think the publicity was such they took fright and didn’t pursue it.”

The treasure trove was stolen from behind reinforced glass in the Chapter House museum and included a beadle’s hand bell dating from 1693 and four pewter communion flagons from 1745.

A quaich and three communion plates from around the same period were also taken. In total, they were worth around £7000.

Police had feared at the time they may be placed on an internet auction site for sale or even melted down.

Col Arbuthnott added, “We are so relieved they weren’t melted and they would have been rendered worthless if they had been.

“They were instantly recognisable—two had 1745 Dunkeld stamped on them so would have been very difficult to sell after all the publicity.

“It’s a lesson to any prospective thieves in the future as well because these things, while important to the community, are worthless on the market because they can’t get rid of them.”

Despite lying underground for six months, the pieces are all in perfect condition, except one, which is slightly dented.

The items will not return to public display until tighter security measures are in place in the museum.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police confirmed the culprits have not yet been caught.