Following their success in getting Scottish granite specified for the new Parliamentary building being constructed in Edinburgh, Scottish Stone Liaison Group (SSLG) are now claiming a second victory as Caithness flagstone is also selected.

Alan McKinney, chief executive of SSLG, said efforts to get Scottish stone selected rather than imported slate seemed to have "run into the sand" before the decision was announced.

SSLG had provided technical details of Caithness stone to the architects, RMJM Scotland, last year and had worked with officials to progress the proposals. They had also had letters published in the Scottish national press arguing for the use of the local stone, but all had gone quiet.

McKinney says now: "However the decision was reached, the SSLG is delighted and the Holyrood Project Team of the Parliament is to be congratulated on its decision."

The Kemnay Granite is being supplied by Pisani-owned Fyfe Glenrock and the Caithness stone will be supplied by Caithness Stone Industries.

Scotland is launching a Natural Stone Institute on 19 September as an integral part of the SSLG. The launch will take place in Stirling in conjunction with a Stone in the City presentation by Stone Federation Great Britain.