Original subtitles

(Solemn bagpipe music)

- [Ian] It was only a rock,

a big lump of sandstone.

You might pass right by it.

But to us,

it was a symbol of our freedom,

of our independence.

We all knew about it, of course.

We learned, as children,

how it was the Scottish Stone of Kings.

But they took it from us.

And as a nation, I suppose we'd forgotten about it.

Time does that.

It was history.

(people chattering)

- Justice for Scotland.

Support home rule.

Justice for Scotland.

Come to the meeting.

Support home rule.

- [Ian Voiceover] But I was young

and full of passion for my country,

and Scotland needed to reclaim its identity.

It was time for the young to remind us

of who we were,

and who we could be again.

♪ Hooray ♪

(driving rock music)

- Sorry.

♪ The world we know is changin' fast ♪

♪ The walls are closin' in ♪

♪ And now's the time to make a stand ♪

♪ Don't let the cowards win ♪

♪ We're beset by a common foe ♪

- Sign the petition.

♪ Ye can hear the distant drums ♪

♪ Yes we're a force ♪

- Come to the meeting.

♪ Brave women and men ♪

♪ The scheme shall be undone ♪

- [Man At Podium] With your names upon this covenant,

as absolute proof of our resolve

we will plunge this message

into the very heart of Westminster.

(crowd cheering)

- Ian.

- We, the people of Scotland, declare our belief

that the forming of a constitution is necessary

in order to secure good government.

With that end in view

we solemnly enter this covenant.

We pledge ourselves and all loyalty to the crown

to do everything in our power to secure for Scotland

a parliament,

(crowd cheering)

With adequate legislative authority

in all Scottish affairs.

(crowd cheering)

Scotland will not be ignored.

(crowd cheering)

- Aye, let's see them ignore that.

- Aye.

- It's only been five years since the war.

You've got to give them time.

- Time, time?

They've had centuries.

How many promises have they broken.

In 1707-

- Ah, ancient history.

- That's Scottish history.

That's our history.

- The oldest nation in Europe.

- Here we are, the oldest bloody nation in Europe...

- You actually think Scotland can look after

their own affairs?

- Surly not if you're the vote.

- All I'm saying is give London a chance.

- Here's the chance right here.

Now let's see what they do with it.

But I'll tell you this,

if Scotland's ever gonna be a nation again,

we have got... - Stop!

Shut your stupid mouths!

There's no bloody nation.

There's nothin', but wind and rain and mud and shit.

Look at that.

What does that say?

North Britain.

See?

We're all British now!

Scotland's dead.

It died in its sleep.

Nobody even came to the funeral.

- One for Grandad.

Come on, I'll give you a lift.

- No, you'll kill me.

I heard you in there tonight.

You know what you are?

An anarchist, a menace to society.

- (chuckles) I think I'll take it as a compliment.

C'mon, I'm doin' you a favour.

- Alright.

- You on?

- Yep.

Be careful now.

Here we go. Ho!

(metal banging) (laughing)

Oh, I broke my bum.

- [Ian] Woo-hoo!

- [Harris] So, been to church recently?

- Yes, dad.

- How's your studies, going well?

- Alright.

- Speak up, please.

- Aye, fine.

- Still thinking about law?

- Aye, am not decided yet, but.

- Still with that covenant thing?

- Aye.

- Harris, please.

- Oh.

Well, Margie, look at him,

he's not stupid.

Why can't you concentrate on your studies...

- I am concentrating on my studies.

- No, no you're not.

You're throwing your life away

with all that nationalist rubbish.

Dad, there's nothing wrong with having pride in your country.

- That's not the point.

Nobody could be prouder of Scotland than I am

and you know it. But you have to go on in life.

- I know.

I know and I said that I might try law.

- Well, when?

You try this, you try that, when?

- Sweetheart, he's only come home for the day

and Bill's here.

- How are your studies, Bill?

- Good, sir.

- You're on to your second degree, aren't you?

- Aye, sir.

- Still president of the student union?

- I'm not throwing my life away.

But if I see wrongs that need to be righted...

- There's always something wrong, isn't there?

Well, let me tell you something, lad.

What's wrong is not out there.

What's wrong is in here.

This is a world for doers,

not for dreamers.

Try and make something of your life, son.

- Here's those things.

If the trousers don't fit, bring them back,

I'll make a pillow cover.

- Alright, mom.

- Remember, your father gave you that.

- Right.

- He doesn't mean to be harsh, Ian.

He had the same fire as you when he was young.

But the world's not easy.

He's worked hard, made a good life for us all.

- I know, Mom, I know.

- He is proud of you, you know.

- Well, let him say so then.

- Ian,

bastards, eh?

We'll get them next time.

- [Ian] Aye, aye.

- We can't ignore it forever.

- Oh, can we not?

- [Bill] People are outraged.

- No, they're not.

- Well, how can you say that?

- Because it's bullshit, Bill.

- Well, just calm down.

- No, look, it didn't even make the headline.

- It's on the front page.

- Oh, come on, mate!

How can people not care about their own country?

- People care.

It's just...

- What?

- They're busy.

(knocking on door)

Look, mate, nobody cared more about the covenant

than I did.

- I thought I'd find you here.

- Ian's blown a fuse again.

Come on, we'll get a pint, we'll talk about it.

- No more talk, alright.

I'm serious.

Someone's got to do something.

- So what are you going to do then?

Get an army, invade England?

- Of course not. - Then what, Ian?

What?

- A symbol.

We need a symbol, a gesture,

something to wake these people up a bit.

An act of revolution, a salt march.

- A what?

- You know, Gandhi, when they march across India

protesting taxes on salt.

- Oh, so you're Gandhi now?

- No, because, Bill, you know,

you know what we are,

you know what Scottish people are?

We're ashamed,

ashamed of being Scottish.

Screw them, 'cause I'm not!

- Oh look, Wendy Wood.

She was a friend of my mom's.

- You're out of your mind.

It's in Westminster Abbey, right across from parliament.

- I know where it is.

- So it's protected.

It's not some bloody souvenir,

"I'll take two postcards, a tea towel,

and oh yes, the Stone of Destiny."

- I just, think of what it'll mean.

It's the single most powerful symbol...

- I know what it is. That's not the point.

They'll put you away.

You'll get 20 years.

You may as well go for the crown jewels.

You'll never get away with it.

- I might.

- Alright, let's say you pull it off.

You somehow get out of the Abbey

and all the way back up to Scotland.

What are you gonna do with it then?

- I've not thought about that.

- [Bill] Oh, geez.

- Well, no, that's up to the people of Scotland.

But I'll tell you this, if it doesn't raise them

to their feet to fight and cheer for this country,

then Scotland really is dead,

but at least we'll know.

- It weights a tonne.

You'll never even lift it.

- Not by myself.

(Ian laughs)

- Oh, you evil man.

I'm six months from my degree.

- I know.

- Lovely position waiting.

And here you come with your crazy schemes

offering me what?

Complete destruction of everything

that I've ever worked for.

- Bill, all great schemes are crazy.

It's what makes them great.

- We'll ruin our lives.

- Probably, aye.

- Prison, Ian.

- Aye, maybe.

But it's for Scotland.

I'm through with talk, Bill, I really am.

Now, are you with me or not?

- You bastard.

(Ian laughing)

(uptempo fiddle music)

I've got a few more.

Give us that Westminster Abbey one, will ya?

- Statesmen's Corner.

- Statesmen's.

- Henry III, Henry I.

- Here you go.

Here's the backdoor I was telling you about.

- [Gavin] What do you have to do

to get a drink in here?

- Listen, I told you already, just take a seat.

- Alright, I will.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey. (laughing)

(dialogue drowned out by music)

- Because if this was here, how can that be?

(uptempo fiddle music)

(both groaning)

(both laughing)

- Wesley Chapel

under renovation.

- [Bill] That's right.

- Henry I, Henry III, Edward the Confessor,

Coronation Chair.

- Yes.

(epic music)

- [Ian Voiceover] Talking about it was one thing.

We Scots have always been good at talking.

But I had to see what we were up against with my own eyes.

Only then would it be real to me.

I was off to London.

- Hello.

Did you want to join the tour?

- No, is it alright if I just have a wee look about?

- As long as you promise not to take anything.

(Ian chuckles)

- [Tour Guide] He incorporated the latest

technological advancements from the 14th century,

the flying buttress.

With these, he was able to raise the roof to 101 feet.

And it remains, to this day, the highest roof in Britain,

and the single leading cause of stiff necks

among tourists.

(tourists laughing)

Now, if you'll follow me, we'll go on to the cloisters,

which, of course, were probably...

- Nine pence, please.

- Oh, sorry.

It's very nice.

- Sorry?

- The Abbey is so clean.

There must be a whole army of cleaners in every night

just cleaning.

- Just once a week.

- That's surprising.

I suppose the nightwatchman could always

pick up a wee bit of rubbish.

Or men, depending on how many you have.

(coins jingle)

(reverential music)

- The Coronation Chair and Stone

made in the reign of Edward I

to house the Coronation Stone of the Scots,

which he brought here in 1296.

Note how the Stone is incorporated into the shelf

beneath the seat.

That's so when a King of England sits to be crowned,

he sits over the Stone of Destiny,

which makes him, by Scotland's own traditions,

King of Scotland, as well.

All without ever having to get his royal trousers dirty.

(tourists laughing)

It was the original coronation was in 1066.

(telephone ringing)

- Hello.

- [Ian] It's me.

- Who? - Me.

- Ah, Gandhi, I was wondering when

you were going to turn up.

- Listen, I can't talk long.

You never know who might be listening.

I just called to say I've been round to visit

my auntie's house.

- You what?

- I said, I've been to my auntie's house for a visit.

- I didn't know you had any relatives in London.

Why didn't you go straight to the Abbey

like we talked about?

- No, listen, I'm telling you,

I went to visit her house.

- Oh, right.

Where in the hell are you now?

I can hardly hear you.

- I'm in a pub, aren't I?

Now, would you let me talk.

- [Bill] Oh, sorry.

- So, I've had a good look at her,

the new ring, the one with the diamond in it.

- Oh, right, and how does it look?

- Aye, it's a lovely stone,

but it looks heavier than we thought.

The setting's a wee bit tricky.

- Is it?

- We may need another jeweller.

- Right, well, we'll talk about it when you get back.

What train are you on?

- Oh, no, I'm gonna be late.

I'm gonna go back tonight for another visit.

- Back to your auntie's house?

- Aye, she won't be home, but I'm going in the back.

- Okay, well, I'll see you tomorrow then.

And Ian, if you see your auntie,

ask her if she wants her panties back.

(Bill laughing)

(suspenseful music)

- Writing a book?

- No, I'm just doing a wee sketch.

- Why?

Don't they have any churches in Glasgow?

Move on, jock.

(train whistle toots)

(bell ringing)

- [Woman] Mr. Hamilton, you're expected.

Moment, sir.

- Ah, you're the young lad that wanted to see me.

Mr. Hamilton, have a seat.

Some tea?

- Please, thank you.

- Thank you, Mrs. McQuarry.

That's a wonderful woman.

Been with the family since I was a boy.

Still treats me like one.

I've seen you before.

- Covenant meetings.

- That's right.

You're quite keen if I remember.

(Ian chuckles)

- (clears throat) Is this...

Can I talk?

- I think so.

- Because what I'm about to tell you

is of the utmost secrecy.

If what we say here would become known to others,

well, it could cause me and you and Scotland

irreparable harm.

- Well, I'm on the edge of my seat.

- I'm going to Westminster Abbey

and I'm gonna bring back the Stone of Destiny.

- Of course, it's been tried before.

- I know.

- Even considered it myself once.

- I didn't know that.

- We were gonna sneak in dressed like monks,

throw a cloak over the stone and drag it out

after Sunday service.

I was 16.

Your plan's a bit more sophisticated, I presume.

- Aye, I've got a couple things...

- No details.

I'm chairman of the Covenant Movement,

Director of the University.

Can't afford to take the risk.

You have accomplices?

- Aye.

- Done your research?

- Of course.

- The plan, is it air tight?

(sighs forcefully)

Will it succeed?

- Aye, it will.

- Alright.

What do you want from me?

- Finances.

- How much?

- 50.

- 50?

That's a,

that's a fair amount.

Still, nothing's impossible, I suppose.

I could make arrangements.

You have a financial plan, a budget?

- Well, not really.

- I'll need something.

- Well, we need to hire a car.

- Right.

- Petrol obviously, and meals,

fish and chips, and so on.

- 50,000 pounds for fish and chips?

- No, (chuckles) 50.

- 50?

- You came to me for 50 pounds?

- Aye, well, we're students, we're broke.

- Mrs. McQuarry!

Kindly show young Mr. Hamilton the way out.

- Sorry if I inconvenienced you, sir.

That was never my intent.

Thank you, ma'am. I'll find my own way.

- Would you like me to clear the tea things up?

- No. I mean, yes.

Sorry, Mrs. McQuarry.

- That's alright.

Nothing wrong with a man changing his mind now and then.

- Mr. Hamilton.

We never met.

- Is the chair right?

Chair's a chair,

and I happened to survive one when I was little.

Alright, the chapel's here.

- My idea, so I claim the honour.

Now, at 6:30 the Abbey closes out,

at which point I come out and I hide here,

which is under renovation.

Tarps, ladders, it's just perfect.

I could be there all night if I needed to.

Now, the nightwatchman finishes

around midnight, one o'clock,

at which point I come out, screw the lock off the door

and let you in.

Here's the brilliant part,

I say we do it Christmas.

The whole town will be in the pubs, the parties,

and we'll come down on them when they're lying in drink

with their minds unbuttoned.

What?

What, Bill, what's wrong?

- I planned to go home for Christmas.

- So cancel it.

- I've got a committee meeting on the 23rd.

- Miss it.

- I think we should give this a little bit more thought.

- No, why, why? What's the matter with you?

- I've been thinking, Ian.

I'm so close to my degree.

I've got such a great position waiting.

I mean, we could do 20 years for this.

- Are you backing out?

- We're getting married, Ian, Jen and me, next spring.

I mean, this is my life we're talking about here.

I can't risk it.

- Aye, aye, no fine.

Forget it, Bill, I'll go myself.

Don't need you.

- I'm sorry, Ian.

I really am.

(slow melancholic music)

(upbeat big band music)

- [Man] Hey, Ian.

- Oh, hiya, hi.

- And this voice from the back shouts,

"Oh, it's you, long live King George."

(guests laughing)

Excuse me a second.

Mr. Hamilton, is it?

- Yes, sir.

- How's things?

- Aye, moving on.

- Good.

One moment.

Jimmy, are you very interested in joining me.

What would you like to do?

- Excuse me, it's Kay, isn't it?

- It might be.

- Ian Hamilton.

- I know.

- Nice to meet you.

You dancing?

- Are you asking?

- Yeah, I might be.

- I like the idea of teaching,

working with children and helping them

find their way in the world.

- Must be the Highlander in you.

Only happy when you're tending the helpless

or battling the English.

- Well, we're simple folk.

- I like your necklace, by the way.

Boyfriend?

- No, from my father.

Wonderful man, a crofter.

- Ah, wee farm lass.

- Grew up with the sheep,

and watching my father struggle everyday

trying to feed us,

paying taxes to a government that knows as much

about the Highlands as they know about the moon.

- Aye.

So, what does he think of you now, his young covenant?

- I don't know, he's dead.

His ship was torpedoed in the war.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

- Me too.

By the way, why haven't you said hello before?

I sit right behind you in European history.

- I didn't know you wanted me to.

- I didn't, but that's no excuse.

(jazzy dance music)

What's wrong?

- What are you doing for the holidays?

- Going home. You?

- I'm going to London

to bring back the Stone of Destiny.

(Kay chuckling)

I mean it.

- You do, don't you?

And so did Wendy Wood and Bertie Grey.

Every national that's worth his salt has talked about it,

but that's just talk.

- I know.

- Well, has it occurred to you

there's a reason why it's never been done?

- Look, I've been to London.

I know I can do it.

Would you come with me?

- No.

If we fail, we'll be laughed at.

Even Scotland, I couldn't bear that.

- No, nor could I,

but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.

- Can I ask why you're doing this?

- Ultimately, the glory of Scotland.

(Kay scoffs)

What?

- My guess is it's not as much about the glory of Scotland

as it is about the glory of Ian Hamilton.

- Now, there's no need to insult me.

If you don't want to go, you don't have...

- I never said that.

I just want to know the lay of the land.

Alright then, why me?

For a start, you were recommended.

Let's be honest, I mean, you're perfect.

Who'd ever suspect a wee lass like you?

- Is that what you think of me?

- No, I don't know you.

- No, you don't, do you?

First, the rules.

Number one, the answer is no.

I'm going to London for the stone.

There'll be nothing extracurricular,

if you follow my meaning.

- It had not even crossed my mind.

- Now you're insulting me.

- No, I didn't mean it like that.

- What did you mean?

- I just, look, I think your a smashing, I do.

I just don't think of you in like...

Look, I mean, I might...

- Why don't you just stop talking altogether.

You're only making it worse.

(man laughing) (woman shrieking)

Him.

- Him?

- [Woman] Stop it! (screaming)

- We need a bit of muscle, don't we?

(glass shattering) Come on.

- [Ian Voiceover] I didn't really know Gavin,

but I'd seen him.

He was an engineering student better known

for his drinking than for his studies.

But Kay said if you got past that,

he had a heart as big as Scotland.

Let's do it!

As usual, she was right.

Let's do it!

And Aye, he was bloody strong.

(upbeat music)

♪ When your wild eye wandered here ♪

♪ Lady go out by the sweetheart tree ♪

♪ But don't let go ♪

♪ It's how my friend history here made me ♪

♪ And here's the mutiny I promised you ♪

♪ And here's the party it turned into ♪

♪ Here's the mutiny I promised you ♪

♪ And here's the moment it turned into ♪

- [John] So tomorrow, then?

- Aye, first light.

- You know, the Scots have a history

of being great debaters.

More often than not, that's as far as we get.

I've poured my whole heart and soul

into the Covenant movement.

It pains me to think that maybe it wasn't enough.

Cigarette?

- Oh, you're out.

- Ring me if you need help.

- Don't worry, we won't.

- (laughs) That's quite the ego you have there.

- Christ, Gavin, what's that?

- You're lucky to get anything for this money.

She runs though.

- Aye, but for how long?

Who the hell is that?

- That's Alan. He's an engineer.

Look, he figured something was up

and he wants to come along and help out.

- Christ, Gavin, you didn't tell him, did you?

- Well, he asked me.

- You told him?

How could you, Gavin?

- He's not gonna spill.

I know him.

- I don't give a shite if you know him.

How old is he, anyway?

- 19, 20, what's the difference?

- Well, look at him, he's,

meek.

- Well, he's here.

That should count for something.

- Aye, well, he's just shy, that's all.

I'll take full responsibility.

One mistake and he's on the train home.

You cannot say fairer than that.

- No, I'm...

Hi, I'm sorry, we can't use you.

- Yeah, of course, it's alright.

- You'll have to forget you ever saw us.

- (sighs) Yeah, I understand.

- Ian, he's got a car.

And we could really use another car.

(dramatic music)

- [Ian Voiceover] We'd been thrown together,

the four of us, strangers really.

But we were amazed at how it felt like

we'd known each other for years.

Alan's shyness had obviously made him a good listener.

It was like he'd been with us from the start.

(epic music)

- We have two teams.

I'm going with Gavin.

Alan, you're going with Kay.

I'm gonna screw off the lock.

- We go in, get out the baby.

- Right, put it in the back of your car.

Back to the car park, where...

- Switch it to the fort.

- I get in Alan's car and put my foot down for Wales.

- But the stone's in the front.

- Right, she's the decoy,

in case anybody seen your car at the abbey.

- Right.

So then we drive the stone back to Scotland?

- No.

- No. That's the beautiful part.

We drive it south.

- They'll expect us to go to Scotland.

- Right.

- So we stash it somewhere, come back when the heat's off.

Dead simple.

- Aye, what could possibly go wrong?

(all laughing)

- [Ian] Thank you.

- Thanks.

- Right, tomorrow's Christmas Eve.

They'll be in their cups.

- Buggar that.

Excuse my French.

Why put off till tomorrow what we can do tonight?

- He's right.

It's not a bad idea.

Why not do it tonight?

- Well, we've not slept.

I mean, can we even think straight?

- Thinkin's overrated.

Oh, come on.

Are we men of talk or men of action?

- We'd have to leave now.

- Aye.

- Alright, check your times.

- 20 past three now.

- Well, I'll see ya, I guess.

- Depending, of course, on the visiting hours in prison.

(men chuckling)

- Go on, then.

- Aye, yeah.

- See you at the party.

- Ow!

Could you not stick me with the damn thing?

- Shut up and stop acting like a big baby.

Will you stop moving?

Lie back and think of Scotland.

Okay, that's it.

Careful with this, 'cause this is the big one.

(Ian and Gavin laughing)

Okay, about done.

Let's go, alright?

You alright?

- Aye.

How do I look.

- When's the blessed event, mother?

And a merry Christmas to you, too, sir.

Can't wait to see the look on his face tomorrow morning.

You ready?

- You realise the moment I walk through that door,

my life will never be the same.

(dramatic music)

- Right, keep your eyes on daddy.

- [Woman] Hello.

- Hello.

- Are you here to take the tour?

- Only if you're the one giving it, sweetheart.

- Oh no, I just hand out the educational literature.

- Oh, well, darlin', by all means, educate me.

(suspenseful music)

- To incorporate the latest technological advances

of the 14th century, the flying buttress.

With these, he was able to raise the roof to 101 feet.

And it remains, to this day,

the highest roof in all of Britain,

and the single leading cause of stiff necks among tourists.

(tourists laughing)

Well, I'm afraid that's all for today.

(suspenseful music)

(door opens)

(metal clanging) (Ian groans)

(breathing heavily)

(door closes)

(breathing heavily)

(Ian gasps) (guard shouts)

- What the hell are you doing in here?

- Well... - Why didn't you shout out?

- Well, because of the...

- Lucky I didn't hit you over the head.

I'm patrolling around here all night, you know.

How old are you?

- How, how old am I?

- Hey, you alright?

- Aye.

- You look horrible.

- Ah, making yourself comfortable.

Alright, put them on.

Oh, come on, don't take all night about it.

Alright, son, let's be having you.

Come on.

Come on, come on.

There's a good lad.

You can't spend the night in here.

Come on.

Wait a minute.

Merry Christmas.

(Ian groaning) (metal clanking)

- Christ!

- Hey, hey! Shut up.

What happened?

It just doesn't make any sense.

We should have had at least...

- All night, he said he's patrolling all night.

- Maybe not.

- I got caught, didn't I?

And why did he have to be so damn nice about it.

- He thought you were a vagrant.

He felt sorry for you.

- I say it was just bad luck. We try again tomorrow.

- Aye, we'll think of something.

- Will we now? What will we think of, Gavin?

'Cause I've not heard any brilliant ideas

out of you so far.

- Ian.

- Not like you would listen to anybody

if they had one anyway. - Stop it, both of you.

We're all tired, that's all.

- Do you remember Robert the Bruce,

when he fought the English,

and the story of his spider?

Six times he watched her spin that web

and six times she failed.

But she never give up.

I think we should go back to the Abbey and look for spiders.

(inspirational music)

(all laughing)

- Spiders.

- Mrs. McQuarry,

I have some work to finish so I'll be up for a bit.

You should get some sleep.

- Have a bit to do myself.

(rain pattering) (gentle music)

- Ian.

(Gavin groans)

Ian, it's Kay.

Hurry up!

Hurry up, it's Kay.

(Kay trembling)

- She's burning up.

- Kay.

Kay.

- [Alan] We've got to get her to hospital.

- We can't, they'll ask too many questions.

- A doctor, then, something.

- Oh, thank Christ.

Where's Ian?

- He's checking the schedules.

He wants to put Kay on the next train home.

Gavin, I've been thinking,

We're half frozen and no sleep.

It's a miracle we're not all in hospital.

- So, you want to quit then?

- I'm not saying that. - Then what are you saying?

- I'm just saying maybe we just need to rethink it a bit.

Get Kay home and regroup.

The stone's not going anywhere.

- Cannot believe I'm hearing this.

I stuck my neck out for you.

- I'm just saying...

- Next train to Glasgow is 11:25.

What's the matter with you two?

- Tell him then.

- What, tell me what?

- Alan wants to quit.

- No, I don't. - Ugh.

- I'm just saying, maybe this is happening for a reason.

Look, we're all nearly half dead,

and even if we weren't, we can't do it without Kay.

One of us has to stay with the car.

That only leaves two to lift the stone. It's not possible.

You've said it yourself, Ian.

Maybe it's a sign.

Maybe we should just go home and make a new plan,

try again another day.

- Is that what you want to do?

- No.

No, I really don't know.

I can't think anymore.

- Alright.

Well, are you gonna talk to him or what?

- Talk to him yourself.

- Listen, you said, you said you'd take

full responsibility for him.

- Aye, and I will, but answer me this,

is he wrong?

Could you for once in your life accept the possibility

that someone other than you might be right?

- Alright, come on.

Alright, here's what we're gonna do.

We'll take a vote.

Alright, secret ballot.

S means stay, G means we go home.

And if you vote to go, there's no shame in it.

We can always live to try another day.

But I will say this,

if we go home, if,

will we really ever come back?

- Doesn't the lassie get to vote?

- We didn't think you heard.

- I'm just ill, not dead.

- Stay.

Stay.

Stay.

Four stays.

(knocking on door)

Excuse me, I wonder if you might have any rooms available?

We've just come in from Shrewsbury and...

- Is that the missus?

- Aye, uh no, sorry, no.

She's my sister.

- Is she drunk?

I won't have drunkards in my house.

No, she's not, she's not.

She's just, she's not feeling very well.

She just needs a sleep.

- Alright, come in. - Thank you.

- Thanks for sticking up for me back there.

- Sod off.

- Gavin.

- (sighs) Aye.

- Are you sorry you came?

- Of course I am.

Nobody in their right mind would want to go through this.

- Then why are you?

- I'm mad, obviously.

- No,

no, really, why?

- Gavin Vernon, the mad bloke, opens beer bottles

with his teeth.

- And you want to prove to people

that there's more than that.

- Prove it to myself.

- It's funny, I'm just the opposite.

Being shy, you know. Even when I was a wee boy,

when people would look at me,

I'd just freeze up.

But I always wanted to be someone, you know?

Have adventures.

Just never thought I'd have the nerve.

- You think too much.

Be more like me.

Just dive in.

Something will come to you.

- Dive?

- Aye.

- What did you say to Ian

that day in Glasgow?

- Told him if you messed up I'd thump ya and send ya home.

- Oh.

- And I will, too.

(gentle music)

- Ian?

Promise you'll come get me?

- I swear.

- I knew you'd try to get me into bed.

What are you thinking?

- Just that it's not long till Christmas now.

I told my mom and dad I'd be with friends

and that I'd see them on Boxing Day.

And my mom was so hurt.

I never meant to put you all through this.

- Don't flatter yourself.

I'm here because I want to be.

Stop taking everything on yourself, Ian.

You're not the great high and mighty.

You're just another boy with grand ideas

and a head like a concrete block.

Why do you want to push a rock up a hill by yourself?

Just let go a wee bit.

Maybe people will like you more.

- You seem to like me fine.

- No, I don't.

I just put up with you.

(Ian laughs)

If you go for the stone without me, I'll break your arm.

(gentle music)

- [Ian Voiceover] We were stuck.

We needed a new plan.

So back we went to look for spiders.

It was Gavin's idea to draw someone out

and grill them for information.

Since the nightwatchman now knew my face,

I stood back and let him try.

- Magnificent architecture, isn't it?

It's smashing stonework. What?

You just don't see this sort of craftsmanship anymore,

do you?

- No, no you don't.

- Get on.

- What?

Gavin. Gavin.

Gavin.

- Come on.

Come on!

(uptempo fiddle music) (bicycle bells dinging)

- [Alan] Gavin, will you stop?

(Alan yelling) (crashing)

- Come on.

- Excuse me.

Can I help you?

- Good afternoon, sir.

We were just passing by

and remarking on what a masterful example

of ecclesiastic architecture this is.

Sebastian Fenster, School of Architecture, Horson College.

- Ah, I've heard of it.

- I'm particularly impressed with the preservation

of the woodwork.

To my eye, the carvers of the late Gothic period

far surpass anyone from the Jacobean or the Tudor periods.

- Yes, I quite agree.

- They've really stood the test of time,

and such formidable doors.

Oak, aren't they?

If it was up to me, we'd smash through

one of these stained glass windows,

but I think that might be a bit too noisy.

But the old codger at the Abbey told me

that the post corner door was replaced after the war.

Now that tells me it's made of pine,

unlike this door here, here and here, made of oak.

We'll never get through that.

The sheer strength of oak is like 1,200 PSI.

What's pine? - 600.

- Right, through that, no problem.

The right tool, the right place, the right strength,

we're through. And if we can't get through with a crowbar,

we'll use his head. (laughs)

Come here, you.

- [Alan] Gavin.

Gavin, stop it. Put me down, Gavin.

- [Ian Voiceover] And that was it. After all our planning,

we decided on a good old fashioned Highland raid.

But before that, I had a promise to keep.

(knocking on door)

- Who is it?

- I've come to fetch my sister.

- It's 2:00 o'clock in the morning.

- Sorry, our father's ill,

we have to leave immediately.

- I'll send her out.

- Well, actually, if I could just...

- [Bed And Breakfast Owner] Get me the police.

Yeah, those Scottish boys are back.

How should I know?

They're up to something.

Send someone right away.

- Christ.

- Oh shit.

- Hide down, hide down.

(tyres skidding)

Quick, try it, get on, get on, push your coat.

- [Policeman] License, please.

- What's um, what's wrong, sir?

- Lady there says you told her you're from Shrewsbury,

Mr. Hamilton

from Glasgow.

Is this your car, sir?

- Aye, it is.

- Papers.

Right, out.

- Hold on a second, sir.

- No, out, out.

If you will, thank you very much, sir.

- If you'll just let me explain to you.

If you'll just let me explain for a sec.

- [Kay] What seems to be the trouble.

- Who are you?

- I'm with them.

Something wrong?

- This gentleman seems to think we stole the car.

- Oh, that's silly.

Where's Gavin?

Hasn't he got the papers?

- Aye, Gav, our mate, Gavin, in the car there.

Everything alright?

- Lots better, thanks.

(knocking on window)

- Mind stepping out of the car, sir?

That road there leads you straight out of London.

Take it.

- I heard her phone the police. I came straight down.

- Four Scots, two cars, suspicious circumstances.

They're gonna put two and two together.

- Maybe not.

- I don't know about your lot,

but I didn't come all the way down here

to freeze my ass off and go home with nothing.

- It's 10 past 3.

We've missed the time.

We've no clue what we're walking into.

- Who cares? - I say we try anyway.

- And they've got our names, you know that.

- They've also got our stone.

- How about you?

- Yeah, let's do it.

- Aye, we might as well go down in flames, eh?

(suspenseful music)

You alright?

- I'm fine, go.

(metal clanging)

(door creaking)

- Higher, try higher.

Give me some light, here.

Come on.

I can't do it, get back.

(bangs loudly)

- Christ! Can't you do that quietly?

(Gavin and Ian laughing)

Shut up.

Gavin.

Will you be quiet?

Will ya, go on, shush.

(bangs loudly) Ian!

- Come on.

(wood cracking) (clattering)

See? No problem.

- Come on.

(suspenseful music)

Right, take that.

(Gavin whispering prayer)

Okay, okay, okay.

Okay, give me a hand.

Get behind it.

Ready, push.

- [Together] One, two, three. (groaning)

- Come on, push it.

Again, one, two, three.

(all groaning)

Come on, one last push. (breathing heavily)

Three, two, one.

(groans) Put it down, put it down.

400 weight, my ass.

That's more like six.

- Put it in the coat.

- You're right brilliant.

(quietly groaning)

(breathing heavily)

- We've broke it.

We've broken Scotland's luck.

- Shut up, shut up, shut up.

No, we didn't.

Look, it's edges are worn.

This has been cracked for years.

- Aye, it has.

Right, put it on the coat.

We've got to get this to the car.

(Ian groans)

- Slide it under.

Ready?

- Yeah.

- Come on.

- It's under.

Grab the coat, lad. Let's go.

(groaning) (suspenseful music)

(car revving)

- It's broken.

Get back into cover, alright. - Okay.

- Come on.

Hurry.

(tense music)

Wait here. Wait.

Well, it's not as if they'll be needing it.

(suspenseful music)

(men grunting)

(car engine revs)

- What the hell's she doin'?

- Get back in the... - A policeman's seen me.

He's coming across the road.

What are we going to say?

(foot steps approaching)

(tapping on glass)

- Sorry, officer. We're just...

It's Christmas Eve.

- Christmas Eve, be damned.

It's four o'clock in the mornin'.

- (gasps) Is it that time already?

- This the missus?

- No, she's my, uh, my girlfriend.

- Well, you're parked on private property, here.

Why did you move when you saw me coming?

- I suppose we knew we shouldn't be here.

- You should be on your way home.

- Where'd they go?

- Take a wick, come on, we'll move it ourselves.

Come on. Ready?

- Well, that's just it.

You see, sir, we drove down for the holidays

and arrived here too late to get a bed.

So, well, we drove around and we ended up here.

- Oh, lord.

- [Gavin] (groans) That bastard making us do all the work.

- [Alan] Shut up and pull.

- Well, there's a car park just along the road.

- Oh, good. Then again, we can always get you to run us in

and give us a bed in the cells.

(Ian nervously laughs)

(clattering) (grunting)

- Police.

- Well, you two best be running along. Alright?

(suspenseful music)

- We got part of the stone, that's something.

- Aye.

- You need to take that somewhere safe.

- I've got a friend in the Midlands.

I can leave it with her.

- Great, let's go.

(Ian groaning)

- Where's your coat?

- It's under the stone.

- You'll catch your death.

- I seem to have forgotten about our rules.

- Kay, you realize when we get home

we can't see each other.

- I suppose.

- We'll be safe.

- Well, like I said, I don't really like you anyway.

It's been a marvelous party, darling.

Thanks so awfully for inviting me.

Take this.

(suspenseful music)

- Oh, they're in my coat.

- Maybe around in a minute. - Aye, maybe.

What do you think we should do?

- I don't know.

- You think we should carry it?

- Where? Not out in the street.

- It's not as if you've had any great ideas.

- How can I with you gabbing on at me?

- Fine, I won't say another word.

- Good, don't.

- Fine, I won't.

- Good.

- Fine.

(suspenseful music)

- That's it!

Go and get the other car.

- Oh, brilliant.

- [Gavin] The keys are in his coat.

Get it.

- [Alan] Got it.

- Gavin.

Gavin. Gavin, Alan.

Gavin, Gav.

Gavin.

(suspenseful music)

- They're not in here.

- What? Gimme that.

He left them in the car.

Please, God, he left them in the car.

- Can we break in, hot-wire it?

- Stand back.

(distant siren approaching)

- Stop!

(siren wailing)

- Christ...

That's it.

It's finished.

We better get out of here.

(siren wailing)

- Why would they have taken my coat?

The keys.

(suspenseful music) (panting)

Gavin, Alan!

Come on, dammit, guys.

Dammit.

(suspenseful music)

- [Ian Voiceover] I had no clue what had happened

to Gavin and Alan.

My only thoughts were of the stone.

Someone once said, "A nation's soul

is in its people's keeping."

And that morning, it felt like the soul of Scotland

was in my hands alone.

(Ian grunting) (triumphant music)

(Ian grunts)

(tyres screeching) (grunting)

- You blind idiot!

- Gavin, Alan!

- Ian!

- I've got it, I've got it.

(laughing joyfully)

- Yes!

We did it! We did it!

(sirens wailing)

- Get in, let's go.

- No, no, wait, wait.

Just one of you.

There's too much weight.

- You go.

I'll get the train back.

- No, I'm the one who... - Shut up.

I'm fed up babysitting you anyway.

Now, go on before I whack you one.

Go on. Go.

- I'll see you back home, okay?

(exciting music)

Yes!

- [News Announcer] Good morning.

It's December the 25th, Christmas morning

and this is the BBC News.

A break in has been reported during the night

at Westminster Abbey.

Although details have not yet been made available,

unconfirmed reports indicate that

the ancient coronation stone of Scotland...

- Mrs. McQuarry, come listen to this.

- [News Announcer] Also known as the Stone of Destiny,

or Stone of Scone,

has been reported missing. - Mrs. McQuarry!

- [News Announcer] There is speculation that it's theft

was a gesture of Scottish defiance.

- Mrs. McQuarry, Mrs. McQuarry, we did it, we did it!

- [New Announcer] They are saying

these are unconfirmed reports, (car horns honking)

and we will keep you up to date

with the latest developments.

(horns honking)

(people cheering)

(soaring triumphant music)

(John laughing)

- My God.

(driving rock music)

♪ Hooray ♪

(people cheering)

♪ Your hearts and souls are burning bright ♪

♪ We're headed for higher ground ♪

♪ So remember the creed ♪

♪ Remember the cry ♪

♪ Remember the ancient way ♪

♪ And we'll be the ones ♪

♪ Dug in with the hounds ♪

♪ We've taken the highest ground ♪

(bell tolling)

- [John] Hello.

- [Ian] Hey, we've been to the nursery

and we've got the baby with us.

- What?

For God's sake, Ian, drop the code talk.

Tell me what happened.

- Well, it's a long story, but basically...

- [John] You're all over the news, you know.

- We are? Really?

- [John] Quite a kerfuffle.

They're dancing in the streets up here, lad.

You've really awakened something.

- [Ian] Oh my God.

- Was one of you wearing a brown wristwatch?

- [Ian] Eh, aye.

That was me.

- Well, look, best lay low for awhile.

And better take the baby to his relatives or something.

- Aye, don't worry, it's over a turn.

- [John] Good, good.

Ian, one more thing.

- Aye.

- [John] Congratulations, man.

I never thought you could pull it off.

- That's funny, I never thought I couldn't.

You alright?

- Yeah.

- Let's go.

(tranquil music)

(rollicking fiddle music)

- To the stone!

And them that took it!

(crowd cheering)

- Ian, come on. Admit it.

It was you, wasn't it?

- Aye, it was me. I told you it was me.

- Aye, right.

The only guy that suspects Ian Hamilton,

is Ian Hamilton.

(all laughing)

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

- I don't understand.

What has this got to do with you?

You did it.

- Ian,

have you any idea the trouble you've gotten yourself into?

Speak up.

- Aye, Dad. I do.

- I'm so proud of you, Son.

I am so very proud of you.

(mother sighs)

(Ian gasps)

- Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.

Your landlady let us in.

- What's going on?

- Just spent the last five hours down at the police station.

- [Ian] Shit.

- And they were asking me a lot about you.

- I told them you spent Christmas with me.

(Ian laughs)

- That's last year.

Thanks, mate.

- Aye.

There's something else.

- My dad's a builder, so he knows a lot about stone.

He was saying if the stone's been dry

for 600 years and moisture gets in now and freezes,

the whole thing could just disintegrate.

There'll be nothing left.

- We'll be shovelling it into paper bags.

- Ian, we're going to need to go and get it

before we're all arrested,

and before there's no stone left to get.

(dramatic music)

(horse neighing)

- What the hell is that?

- Should we wait, see if they leave?

- Is that it?

- Aye.

- At least it's in one piece.

- Yeah, but it might as well be back in the abbey.

- We were just traveling through and we saw your fires

and thought we'd see if we can have a bit of a warm.

- Expect you have a bit of trouble now and then,

with the police?

- Some.

- That's 'cause they don't like the way you live.

You're free.

I think freedom's the most valuable thing

that people can have.

Well, there are many who would take that freedom

away from the people they don't understand,

like yourselves and, well, ourselves.

Our people, the Scots, have died for freedom

over and over for centuries.

And we would again, too, gladly.

But for us to continue our fight

we need a symbol to unite our people.

We've not done anything wrong, although

what we have done is illegal.

But we've done the only thing we could.

We need that symbol of freedom

so that the flame that burns in here

can never be extinguished.

- This symbol of yours,

where is it?

- It's under your arse.

(laughing heartily)

- And it was under my arse! (laughing)

- [Ian] Ready, here we go.

(peaceful music)

- Here we are. - Hello.

- Good to see you.

- [Bill] Just back.

Watch your feet. Alan, Alan.

- To the brave souls who brought the stone home,

wherever they may be.

(all chuckling)

May Scotland never forget them.

Well done. - Thank you, John.

- [John] Well done.

- Thank you.

I knew it was only a matter of time

before I was arrested.

And I longed for it, the excitement,

the chance to have my say in court.

But what really mattered was the stone.

We couldn't just let it disappear.

Public sentiment would never allow it.

I decided to put the stone

into the hands of the authorities.

The next move would be theirs.

Would they leave it in Scotland,

or take it back to London

to the outrage of an entire nation?

- [Kay] And lift.

Good, good. Careful.

- [Ian Voiceover] We returned the stone

to the Church of Scotland at the ruined Abbey of Arbroath,

where the estates of Scotland met to sign

their declaration of independence.

(slow reverent music)

(sirens wailing)

(tires screeching)

- [Policeman] Stay calm, let's do our jobs.

- [Ian Voiceover] The stone was bundled back to London

and I never saw it again.

- Are you the ones that took the stone?

Which one of you is the leader?

- Speak to this man here.

- What's your name?

- My name shouldn't matter. - Oh, we just want to know.

Tell us who you are.

- You can tell them we're the children of Scotland.

- [Ian Voiceover] On that day,

I heard the voice of Scotland speak

as loudly as it did in 1320.

As long as 100 of us remain alive,

we shall never give in to the domination of the English.

We fight now for glory, not for wealth nor honours,

but only and alone for freedom,

which no good man surrenders, but with his life.

(solemn bagpipe music)

(peaceful music)

♪ Oh the summertime is coming ♪

♪ And the trees are sweetly blooming ♪

♪ And wild mountain thyme ♪

♪ Grows around the blooming heather ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

♪ And we'll all go together ♪

♪ To pluck wild mountain thyme ♪

♪ All around the blooming heather ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

♪ I will build my love a bower ♪

♪ Near yon pure crystal fountain ♪

♪ And around it I will pile ♪

♪ All the flowers from the mountain ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

♪ And we'll all go together ♪

♪ To pluck wild mountain thyme ♪

♪ All around the blooming heather ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

♪ If my true love he were gone ♪

♪ I would surely find no other ♪

♪ To pluck wild mountain thyme ♪

♪ All around the blooming heather ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

♪ And we'll all go together ♪

♪ To pluck wild mountain thyme ♪

♪ All around the blooming heather ♪

♪ Will ye go, lassie, will ye go ♪

(tranquil music)