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MHG3516 - Cup marked stone - Balnafoich (Balnafoich 1)

Summary

A cup marked stone at Balnafoich.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

NH63NE 47 6841 3505.

At NH 6841 3505 on the edge of a pasture field are two cup-marked boulders within 16.0 m of each other. The W example, found by Mr E A Meldrum, measures about 2.0 by 2.0 m and 1.2 m high, with at least three cup-marks on its upper surface. The E boulder, discovered during field investigation, lies flush with the ground and is partially obscured by turf. The exposed part measures 2.4 by 1.2 m, and contains 16 cup-marks. There are numerous boulders in the area, most of which have been removed from the adjacent field. No further cup-marks were identified.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (N K B) 6 September 1982

This panel was recorded as part of the ScRAP (Scotlands Rock Art project) by members of NoSAS in November 2018. On the west bank of the River Nairn, opposite the confluence with the River Farnack, is a southeast facing slope currently in use as rough pasture, which is littered with numerous boulders. This panel sits flush with the ground and is largely covered in moss and turf. It can be found on the edge of the area of rough pasture towards the bottom of the slope, and close to a pole supporting a power cable. A second carved panel can be found approximately 10m to the east, named Balnafoich 2 (ScRAP ID: 3056).

This slightly pear-shaped, gently domed panel lies flat against the earth. It measures 2.4m in length and is 1.3m wide. Twenty-five cups of varying depths have been carved in an apparently scattered manner over the surface. Additionally, there is also a clear curving groove or crack near the northwest (narrower) end. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2020 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 6841 3506 (10m by 10m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH63NE
Civil Parish	DAVIOT AND DUNLICHITY
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (3)