A search is under way to trace up to 30 missing fragments of the Stone of Destiny - the ancient coronation stone of Scottish kings. The pieces were separated from the artefact when it was secretly repaired following its famous removal from Westminster Abbey in 1950 by nationalists students.

Professor Sally Foster, from the University of Stirling, is painstakingly collating the history of as many of the pieces as possible, some of which were “hidden in plain sight”. She said they formed a fascinating new strand in the centuries-old history of the Stone of Scone.

A researcher is exploring the mystery of small fragments which were separated from the ancient Stone of Scone.