Sydney Man Faces Charges for Vandalizing Stone of Scone Display in Scotland

A 35-year-old Sydney man, Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, has been charged with malicious mischief after allegedly attempting to smash the glass case housing the Stone of Scone at Perth Museum in Scotland on July 12, 2025. The incident, which disrupted the museum’s centerpiece exhibition, has sparked debate about cultural heritage protection and individual accountability.

The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, is a 335-pound sandstone block central to Scottish and British monarchical history, used in coronations for centuries. On Saturday, Police Scotland responded to a disturbance at Perth Museum around 1:55 p.m., where Logan, reportedly wearing a kilt, allegedly tried to break the protective casing. A tourist, Elle Alvarez, posted on Facebook, describing Logan claiming to be a “clan chief” with a “right to the throne,” calling the act a dramatic bid to seize the artifact. The museum, part of a £27 million redevelopment in 2024, confirmed the stone remained undamaged, thanks to 24/7 security measures, as noted on their website.

Logan appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on July 14, 2025, facing a single charge of malicious mischief, akin to vandalism under Scottish law. No plea was entered, and he was remanded in custody, with a follow-up hearing set within eight days. The Stone of Scone’s history—stolen by England’s King Edward I in the 13th century, reclaimed by Scottish nationalists in 1950, and returned to Scotland in 1996—adds weight to the incident, highlighting its symbolic importance. Its secretive transport for King Charles III’s 2023 coronation underscores ongoing sensitivities.

The incident raises questions about heritage security and personal responsibility, with critics pointing to lax oversight under Scotland’s current Labour-led government, which some argue prioritizes political agendas over cultural preservation. Logan’s actions, while not damaging the stone, disrupted a site meant to honor Scotland’s past, drawing ire from those who value its legacy. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need to safeguard historical treasures against reckless acts, ensuring they endure for future generations.