By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MSPS LAST night backed calls for a major new tourist attraction in Perthshire centred on the Stone of Destiny.

During a debate at Holyrood Tory, SNP, Liberal Democrat and Green members agreed that the stone on which kings and queens have been crowned be moved from Edinburgh Castle and returned to its home at Scone Palace.

In 1996 the then Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth arranged for the stone to be taken back to Scotland on the 700th anniversary.

Last night, opening a debate in his name, Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser argued that there is no “historical, political, constitutional or economic reason” for the stone to be in Edinburgh.

“Prior to its removal from Scotland by Edward I, it had always been located in Scone, and I believe it is now time for it to be returned to its rightful home,” he said.

“I understand that there are practical difficulties that would have to be overcome. A new setting would require to be created for the stone at Scone Palace, and adequate security safeguards put in place.

“Whilst there may be good historic and romantic reasons for having the stone returned to its rightful home, I do believe that there is a good economic reason too. There is no economic benefit to Edinburgh having the stone in its current location in Edinburgh Castle.

“I went to see the stone there last week and it sits rather incongruously in a glass case along with the honours of Scotland.

“I do not believe that anybody makes a special trip to Edinburgh Castle just to see it, given all the other attractions that there are within the site.

“However, I do believe that there is an opportunity for economic benefit to Scone and indeed to Perthshire by creating a new visitor attraction based around the stone at Scone.

“It would also give the opportunity to allow the stone to be presented in its appropriate historical context, rather than mixed in with the crown, sceptre and sword of state which date from much more recent times.”

Mr Fraser told MSPs that Scone Palace was keen to have the stone back.

Viscount Stormont said he believed that it should be housed in a specially designed chapel on the site of the stables at Scone Palace.

Mr Fraser said there would be free admission for those wishing to view the stone, pointing out that there is a £10.30 admission charge for Edinburgh Castle.

North Tayside MSP John Swinney told MSPs he had always supported moving the stone back to Scone and regretted that Mr Forsyth had decided to locate it in Edinburgh Castle.

He said he hoped ministers would support the move back to Scone, a move, he said, that would “right the historical wrongs.”

Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie also supported the stone returning to Scone.

Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell agreed that having the stone at Scone would boost the local economy.

For the Executive, Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said she was responding on behalf of the First Minister in his capacity as Keeper of the Great Seal.

She pointed out that in the 1996 public consultation for the relocation of the stone to Scotland the overwhelming view was that it should be located at Edinburgh Castle.

“Members views on whether there is a need to review the location of the stone will of course be of great interest to the commissioners,” she said.

The minister promised to send a full copy of the debate to the First Minister.