A SCOTTISH council is to urge Donald Dewar, the new Scottish Secretary, to return the Stone of Destiny to Scone.

Perth and Kinross Council yesterday asked to have the stone moved from Edinburgh castle to Scone. The stone, used in crowning Scottish Kings, was taken from Scotland by Edward I 700 years ago ( see Act of Union )returned from Westminster Abbey last year.

The Scottish office said Edinburgh castle was chosen initially for security reasons. It said that if facilities were improved at Scone the stone could be moved.