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MHG8162 - Symbol stones, Wolf & Deer, Stittenham (Ardross 1 & Ardross 2)

Summary

Stylised 'wolf' and 'beast' symbol stones, found built into an old wall. Now in Inverness Museum.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

NH67SE 12 centred 650 743.
2 sandstone fragments, bearing incised representations of a deer and wolf in Pictish style, were found 'built into an old wall at Stittenham' before 1891. Often known as the Ardross 'wolf' and 'horse', they are preserved in Inverness Museum (INVMG 00.208-9).
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; RCAHMS 1979; 1985. <1>-<3>

In Inverness Museum - NH64NE 138.1

Two class I symbol stones showing:
Ardross 1 : a wolf
Ardross 2 : a deer's head <4>

On display at Inverness Museum. Included in a catalogue of the Pictish Symbol Stones at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, original version 1994, updated 2010. The wolfstone is described as one of the most famous incised stones, the artist capturing the graceful movement of the animal with relatively few incised lines. The style of the carving in the neck area of the Ardross 'beast' stone suggests that this stone may have been created by the artist responsible for the wolf stone. The geological similarity of the two stones and the position of the carving suggest that they may have been on a single stone. <5> <6>

The stones are listed under Acc. Nos. 0000.208-209 in the Inverness Museum catalogue. <7>

Ardross 1, Stittenham, Ross & Cromarty, Pictish symbol stone fragment
Measurements: H 0.31m, W 0.49m, D 0.13m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NH 650 743
Present location: Inverness Museum & Art Gallery (INVMG 00.209)
Evidence for discovery: found sometime before 1863 built into a wall at Stittenham.
Present condition: broken but carving clear except where flaking has occurred.
Description:
This fragment is incised with a finely delineated wolf, padding along towards the right. Three of his four paws are missing along with much of his tail, but the body shows scroll joints and ear, rounded eye, and jaw open to show his tongue.
Date: seventh century
References: ECMS pt 3, 55-6; Fraser 2008, no 118.1.

Ardross 2, Stittenham, Ross & Cromarty, Pictish symbol stone fragment
Measurements: H 0.34m, W 0.32m, D 0.10m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NH 650 743
Present location: Inverness Museum & Art Gallery (INVMG 00.208)
Evidence for discovery: found sometime before 1863 built into a wall at Stittenham.
Present condition: broken but carving clear except where flaking has occurred.
Description:
This fragment is incised with a beast head, facing right, lacking only the lower part of its body. It has a scrolled chest, two pricked ears, large oval eye and long slender muzzle.
Date: seventh century
References: ECMS pt 3, 55-6; Fraser 2008, no 118.2.
Early Medieval Carved Stones Project, Compiled by A Ritchie 2017

Sources/Archives (11)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 6500 7429 (6m by 6m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH67SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	ROSSKEEN

Finds (2)

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External Links (2)