AT JUST over £150,000, it is just south of the price of the average home. It would take no small change to save a rare bronze seal commissioned by Robert the Bruce, but doing so would retain an “irreplaceable” asset in the UK.
The temporary export ban placed on the item by UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey aims to find a private buyer who will stop it travelling overseas, possibly for good.
The step has been taken because of the historical significance of the piece, one of the only objects we have which is directly associated with the Bruce’s reign.
So it is questionable then if simply keeping it in the UK would be enough.
If its value is to the country, to the people, then such an asset should not be in a private collection, but in an accessible museum, somewhere Scotland’s public can view it and use it as a means of connecting to the nation’s past and understanding its present.
£150,000 needed to stop rare Robert the Bruce seal leaving country
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here