MHG3768 - Symbol Stone - Lochardil
Summary
Class I symbol stone, depicting a bull, similar to those on the Burghead stones.
Type and Period (2)
- (Former Type) SITE (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)
- INSCRIBED STONE (Pictish to Early Medieval - 300 AD to 1057 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
NH64SE 46 665 438.
A stone with an incised symbol of a bull, was found 'in an old dyke close to Provost Ross' house at Inverness' (NH 66524380), but was moved to the stables at Lochardill (c.NH 66 42).
J R Allen 1903. <1>
(Also information from the Highland News and Football Times, 3 August 1979.)
Now at Stoneyfield House in the possession of Mrs Torrance.
RCAHMS 1985. <2>
Class I symbol stone bearing a bull. <3>
The stone is now the legal property of Mrs Torrance, due to a 20 year lapse in claiming through the Treasure Trove process. Viewing can be arranged. The property is for sale and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery are consulting with Mrs Torrance over the future of the stone. It is hoped that a drawing of the stone can be made, through Ian Fisher, RCAHMS. <4>
Included in a catalogue of the Pictish Symbol Stones at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, original version 1994, updated 2010. This stone is currently (2010-2011) on loan to Inverness Museum. <5>
Inverness 2, Lochardill, Inverness-shire, Pictish symbol stone
Measurements:
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NH 665 438
Present location: Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Evidence for discovery: found in an old dyke in the later nineteenth century and taken to Lochardill House. It was later taken to Stonifield House, and presented to Inverness Museum around 2000. Mack discusses the original location of the two Inverness bull stones (2007, 174-5).
Present condition: fractured and worn.
Description:
The slab as it survives may be almost intact, with an incised bullock walking sedately to the right in the upper part of the stone. The animal is horned and has three spiral joints.
Date: seventh century.
References: ECMS pt 3, 103; Mack 2007, 174-5; Fraser 2008, no 114.
Early Medieval Carved Stones Project, Compiled by A Ritchie 2017
Sources/Archives (9)
- --- SHG14934 Image/Photograph(s): Lochardil Pictish Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG23282 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Historic Environment Scotland. Canmore. 13529.
- --- SHG2357 Text/Publication/Volume: Jackson, A. 1984. The symbol stones of Scotland: a social anthropological resolution to the problem of the Picts.
- <1> 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. 103; fig. 107.
- <2> SHG2712 Text/Publication/Volume: Ritchie, J N G. 1985. Pictish symbol stones: a handlist 1985. 12.
- <3> SHG2456 Text/Publication/Volume: Mack, A. 1997. Field guide to the Pictish symbol stones. 111.
- <4> SHG24538 Verbal Communication: Fox, A M. Comments by Alison Fox, Highland Council Archaeology Unit. 09/01/2002.
- <5> SHG25069 Text/Publication/Booklet: Inverness Museum. 2010. A Catalogue of the Pictish Symbol Stones at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Paper (Copy).
- <6> SHG25836 Collection/Catalogue: Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Inverness Museum & Art Gallery Accession registers.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 6649 4379 (6m by 6m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH64SE |
| Civil Parish | INVERNESS AND BONA |
| Geographical Area | INVERNESS |
Finds (2)
- RAZOR (Undated)
- SYMBOL STONE (Pictish - 300 AD to 900 AD)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/13529 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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