Analysis completed by Historic Environment Scotland.
The following material is being published by the Scottish Government on behalf of the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia.
On behalf of the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia, Historic Environment Scotland has now completed a series of scientific tests on the fragment that has been in the possession of the SNP.
These have concluded that, from a scientific perspective, there is a high degree of certainty that it was taken from the Stone.
This analysis, together with the family connection of the person who gifted the fragment in 2008, indicates that it is beyond any reasonable doubt that the fragment is genuine.
As agreed when the fragment was submitted for analysis, now that its authenticity has been established, the fragment will be retained by the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia to be held on behalf of the Nation and the people of Scotland.
The Commissioners will now consider appropriate options for the future location of the fragment, including the option of it being placed in the new Perth Museum.
A final decision will be made in due course.
Background
The First Minister and previous First Minister recused themselves from any decision-making role in this matter.