In May Birlinn is publishing an account of possibly one of the greatest and most daring political stunts ever attempted. In The Stone of Destiny Ian Hamilton relives the exhilaration of bucking the English establishment and becoming a Scottish national hero on Christmas Eve 1950, when he snatched the Stone of Destiny from beneath the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey, reclaiming it for Scotland.

The book’s publication will coincide with the release of a major Hollywood film due to premier in May at the Cannes Film Festival. Charlie Cox (Stardust) plays the lead role of Ian Hamilton, surrounded by an all-star cast including Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings) and Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot).

The film will be screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd June. Visit the Film Festival website for details and to book tickets. Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday 9th May.