MHG10761 - Farr Stone
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- CROSS SLAB (CULTURE 300; CULTURE 900; , Pictish - 300 AD to 900 AD)
Protected Status
Full Description
NMRS Notes:
NC76SW 11 7142 6225. Cross (NR). OS 6"map, (1964)
An upright cross-slab standing in graveyard of former parish church which was built in 1774 but which stands on site of its predecessor, mentioned 1223-1245. That the ecclesiastical origins are older still is indicated by Celtic decoration of cross-slab, which is of blue schistose slate, 7ft 6ins high, 2ft wide and 9ins thick, sculptured in relief on one face only. The main element is a ringed cross with 'arm-pits' and a central boss, springing from a semi-circular base within which are two intertwined birds. There are also panels of key-pattern and interlacing infill.
The Clachan Burn previously formed an island between the present channel and graveyard which was known as 'Eilan tigh an t-Sagairt', Island of the Priest's House; and stone (NC76SW 19) is said to have been boundary of the Priest's Croft (Morrison 1883).
Orig Paroch Scot 1855; H Morrison 1883; J Anderson and J R Allen 1903; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909.
The stone was Scheduled in 1925.
The cross-slab is as described. The site of the Priest's House was not located. Visited by OS (J L D) 28 April 1960.
Cross-slab surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (R L) 6 July 1971.
The cross slab is still in situ. The church has been restored and is now a museum. Said to be known as 'St Columba's Church' (Info from Strthnaver Museum pamphlet, Bettyhill, Sutherland). Visited by OS (N K B) 2 August 1977.
Mr George Hay states that he has recorded this to some extent.
The stone was subject to a condition survey by Historic Scotland in 2000. <1>
Farr, Sutherland, cross-slab
Measurements: H 2.29m, W 0.62m, D 0.23m
Stone type: blue schistose slate
Place of discovery: NC 7142 6225
Present location: in situ in graveyard at east end of church (now Strathnaver Museum), facing east.
Evidence for discovery: recorded by Stuart around 1850.
Present condition: some wear but mostly good.
Description:
This sophisticated monument bears carving on one broad face only. The slab has been carefully dressed to a rectangle with a plain flat-topped pediment with sloping concave sides. Face A is heavily carved in relief within a plain border, the whole dominated by a ringed cross on a D-shaped pedestal. The ornamentation is dense and elaborate but lightened by plain spaces between the arms of the cross and by panels on either side of the shaft containing airy spiralwork. At the top is a panel of diagonal key pattern within a plain and narrow roll moulding. The cross fills the width of the slab and its upper arm touches the top panel. It has rectangular terminals and widely rounded armpits, and a central raised boss carved with a fat triple spiral. Small triple spirals link the boss with the squares of key pattern in the terminals of the upper and side arms. The squares of key pattern can also be read as crosses. The lower arm, shaft and ring are filled with interlace. The basal pedestal has a border of interlace within which is a D-shaped panel enclosed by a narrow roll moulding and containing two swan-like birds, their necks entwined. The cords of the spiralwork on either side of the shaft become space-filling tight interlace above and below, and similar interlace fills the spaces beside the upper ring of the cross. Below the base of the cross is a densely packed panel of key pattern. The basal portion of the slab is hidden below ground.
Date: ninth or tenth century.
References: Stuart 1856, pl 35; ECMS pt 3, 53-4.
Early Medieval Carved Stones Project, A Ritchie 2016 <2>
The Scheduling name was amended by Historic Environment Scotland with effect from 12/04/2023. <3>
See also:
NC76SW0049 Farr Old Church
NC76SW0067 Graveyard
NC76SW0048 Farr Manse
J Aitken : 17/12/02
Sources/Archives (37)
- --- SHG12105 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12111 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12134 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12135 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12136 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12137 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12138 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12139 Image/Photograph(s): Farr.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12425 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12426 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12427 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12428 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14715 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14716 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14717 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14718 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14719 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14720 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG14849 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15157 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15158 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15159 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15160 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15161 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15162 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15163 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG15164 Image/Photograph(s): Farr Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG1883 Text/Publication/Volume: Allen and Anderson, J R and J. 1903. The early Christian monuments of Scotland: a classified illustrated descriptive list of the monuments with an analysis of their symbolism and ornamentation. pt. 3, 53-4; illust..
- --- SHG2053 Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 124, No. 59.
- --- SHG2538 Text/Publication/Volume: Morrison, H. 1883. Tourist's guide to Sutherland and Caithness. 86.
- --- SHG2657 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. . 88, No. 258.
- --- SHG342 Text/Publication/Monograph: OPS. 1855. Origines parochiales Scotiae: the antiquities ecclesiastical and territorial of the parishes of Scotland. 2/2. 707-8.
- --- SHG350 Text/Publication/Monograph: Stuart, J. 1856. Sculptured stones of Scotland. 1. 12; pl. 35.
- --- SHG4858 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- <1> SHG27642 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Stephen Gordon. 2000. Condition Survey - Farr Stone, Bettyhill, Sutherland. Historic Environment Scotland. Digital (scanned as PDF).
- <2> SHG23282 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Historic Environment Scotland. Canmore. 6406.
- <3> SHG29432 Text/Designation Notification/Scheduled Monument: Historic Environment Scotland. 2023. Amendment to a Scheduled Monument Notification - SM1889. Historic Environment Scotland. 13/04/2023. Digital.
Map
Location
Grid reference | Centred NC 7142 6225 (10m by 10m) (2 map features) |
---|---|
Map sheet | NC76SW |
Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
Civil Parish | FARR |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (3)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM1889 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/6406 (View HES Canmore entry for this site)
- https://highlandpictishtrail.co.uk/project/strathnaver-museum/ (Link to the Pictish trail website)
Comments and Feedback
Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.