Stuff the British Stole: Nov 8

This week on Stuff the British Stole, Marc Fennell investigates a wild Scottish heist to steal back an object – quite literally – from the British throne.

When King Charles has his Coronation he will face a choice: Will he sit on the Scottish people? Or at least, a potent and sacred symbol of them. British monarchs have long been crowned on a throne built around a sacred stone that was taken from Scottish kings. Marc investigates the strange story of one Christmas, where a group of four Scottish students snuck into Westminster Abbey to steal it back.

What followed was a bonkers heist gone wrong that unveils a complex relationship within the United Kingdom itself – between England and Scotland. The stone may look plain but its history is wild.

Marc travels to Glasgow to piece together this outrageous heist. He meets university students Emma Hill & Nico Matrecano. Together, they literally try to recreate the audacious robbery where a crucial part of royal history was snatched right under the noses of the British.

Without going into too much detail: a very heavy barrel of scotch and a lot of masking tape is involved. Medieval Historian Lucy Dean takes Marc through a maze that leads right to the heart of British power and Scottish mythology. Then the comedian Bruce Fummey takes Marc on a guided tour through the Scottish national identity. But all is revealed when Marc comes face to face with the actual mastermind of the entire plot to relieve the British of one of their most potent royal symbols.

Ultimately, this is a crime that illuminates that the United Kingdom may not be quite as united as you might imagine.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.