A haul of priceless treasures should be returned to Shetland after years on display in Edinburgh, islanders have demanded.

The famous St Ninian’s Isle Treasure was found by schoolboy Douglas Coutts in 1958.

It was discovered buried under a slab marked with a cross during University of Aberdeen excavations of a medieval church that once existed on St Ninian’s Isle.

The 28-piece hoard – including bowls, a spoon, decorative pieces from swords and 12 brooches – is believed to be the best example of surviving silver metalwork made during the second half of the eighth century.

However, they are stored at Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland – with only replicas on show at the Shetland Museum.

A petition has now been launched in a bid to bring the original pieces back home to the northern isles permanently.

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said: “It would be front and centre of the museum’s exhibition here whereas in Edinburgh it will always be just another exhibit.”

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