Get out the popcorn. It's November.

Back in the late 13th Century, an annoying politician (yes, they had those) stole something that didn't belong to him. Depending on who's telling it, he either got hold of the actual coronation stone of Scotland, brought to the country by Saint Columba and sometimes referred to as 'Jacob's Pillow', or he was given an stone from the castle privy by some canny monks.

Either way, the stone was schlepped down to London and secured under a throne. Kept in Westminster Abbey, it was used for hundreds of years in royal coronation ceremonies. It still is. However, back in the 1950s, some patriotic Scots uni students stole it. During their Christmas hols. Then they lent it back to the English.

Today's Short Subjects: Here's a Scots Gaelic song about the return of the stone. Here are the lyrics, with translation.

Here's an interview with Ian Hamilton, QC, who was the ringleader of the rock heist. He's been a pretty useful citizen since then.

Today's Feature Film: This film, Stone of Destiny, got mixed reviews. Not enough car chases. But it's sly and funny. Besides, what a lark, running off with a national symbol like that, and hiding it in a field. In these days of terrorism, violence, and general hostility, how refreshing to look back on some bright young people who made their point without harming a soul. And for a whopping £50. (How Scots was that?)

Some people just have the right combination of patriotism and humour. Thank you, Corries.