IT is known as the Holyrood Bird and is a national treasure with a long and turbulent history.

Now the fate of the papal gift to Scotland - plundered more than four centuries ago by English troops and seized back in the 1980s by a band of Scottish patriots - has been secured.

A court of the Church of England, which claimed ownership of the ornate Dunkeld Lectern, has announced that the treasure will be loaned permanently to the National Museums of Scotland.

The ruling is the result of "diplomatic" inter-church negotiations over what was stolen property and comes six years after The Herald revealed that it had mysteriously turned up in Edinburgh after going missing for 15 years.

Dr Winnie Ewing, the former SNP president, acted as a "gobetween" when the nationalists returned the lectern by courier to the Kirk's Netherbow arts centre in the Royal Mile.

Dr Ewing said the people who contacted her never revealed their names, and added: "The museum is a fair place for this very beautiful piece to be."

The ruling from St Albans means the 5ft 6in relic can go on public show in Scotland.

The lectern was made in Italy in 1498 and gifted to Scotland by Pope Alexander VI. It was accepted by the Bishop of Dunkeld and taken to Holyrood Abbey, where it remained until 1544 when an English army attacked Edinburgh. It was then taken south to St Stephen's.

The group of Scottish nationalists Siol Nan Gaidheal (Seed of the Gael) reclaimed it in a raid on the church in 1984. They are believed to have hidden the lectern in a West Highland grave, indicating that it would remain there until a Scottish parliament had been established.

The Rev David Ridgeway, vicar of St Stephen's Church, said he was "greatly relieved" about the decision regarding the phoenix-like lectern, which was once housed in Holyrood Abbey. He said: "I'm delighted. It was the most practical solution and I am looking forward to coming to Edinburgh to see it."

Ten years ago, the minister's parish church was presented with a 150-year-old replica lectern by the Kirk as a replacement for the lectern.

Mr Ridgeway said the ruling by the chancellor of the St Albans Diocese, the ecclesiastical equivalent of a judge, had been uncontested at a hearing attended by the Council for the Care of Churches, the Church of England's heritage body.

David Caldwell, keeper of the department of Scotland and Europe at the NMS, who was present when the lectern was returned, said: "I am very appreciative of the generosity of the vicar and community of St Stephen's Church and the Diocese of St Albans.

"This loan provides a great opportunity for the lectern to be displayed as an important piece of Scottish medieval history here in Edinburgh.

"However, the significant role of St Albans in the story of the lectern will not be forgotten."

He said they were considering displaying the treasure in theMuseum of Scotland early next year, as part of an existing medieval church exhibition.

Donald Smith, director of the Story-Telling Centre at the Netherbow, who was also present at the lectern's return, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that what was planned has finally come to be.

"It's wonderful to see it come home and go on display as one of Scotland's great medieval treasures."

JOURNEY OF A CHURCH TREASURE

1544 The English army, led by Earl of Hertford, marches on Edinburgh, destroys Holyrood Abbey and carries off much of its property as plunder.

1544 The abbey's lectern finds its way to St Stephen's Church in St Albans.

1643 The lectern disappears after the outbreak of English Civil War when many religious items and artefacts were hidden by Anglican clergy from their Puritan prosecutors.

1748 The Montagu family tomb in St Stephen's Church chancel opened for an interment; the lectern is found lying in the grave, retrieved and brought back into use.

1879 Scottish academics, clergy and Scottish patriots seek the lectern's return, but their plea is rebuffed by St Stephen's vicar.

1972 The lectern is found lying in pieces halfway down the church nave; intruders take three small lions fromits base.

1982 It returns briefly to Scotland for first time in more than 400 years after permission is given by Church of England for it to appear in exhibition of medieval Scottish art, but it is returned to St Stephen's Church.

1984 Scottish nationalist organisation Siol Nan Gaidheal (Seed of the Gael) breaks into the church and removes the lectern, saying it is being returned to its "rightful home".

1999 The Herald reveals the lectern is delivered anonymously by courier to Netherbow Arts Centre in Edinburgh's Royal Mile; it is placed securely in the National Museums of Scotland, although legally it belongs to Church of England.

2005 Chancellor of the St Albans diocese, the ecclesiastical equivalent of a judge, convenes a church court and decides its fate - permanent loan to the museum.