MHG39524 - Findspot of symbol stone at broch, south of Chapel Pool, Crosskirk
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- FINDSPOT (Pictish - 300 AD to 900 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A rectangular symbol stone, 2ft 3ins high and 2ft 2ins wide, a facsimile of which is at Thurso Castle, is said to have been found at Crosskirk broch and to have been given to the King of Denmark by Sir George Sinclair.
<1> <2>
A sculptured stone, said to have been found in the broch (No.347) near the old Chapel of St Mary's, Lybster, in Reay is described and illustrated in the 'Sculptured Stones of Scotland', and in 'The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland'. It is of Caithness sandstone, rectangular in form 2' 3" in height by 2' 2" in width, and is sculptured on one face with incised lines, thus:- At the top, the crescent and V-shaped sceptre symbol, and below it the horse-shoe or arch symbol, both ornamented with curved lines. The stone is said to have been presented to the King of Denmark by Sir George Sinclair, the proprietor, but it has not been traced.
Visited by RCAHMS, 25th August 1910
Class I symbol stone (lost) showed a crescent and V-rod and a horseshoe. <3>
Crosskirk, Caithness, Pictish symbol stone
Measurements: more than H 0.69m, W 0.66m
Stone type: Old Red Sandstone
Place of discovery: ND 0248 7012
Present location: lost.
Evidence for discovery: found in the 19th century at Crosskirk broch, the stone was taken to Thurso Castle and later presented to the King of Denmark.
Present condition: unknown.
Description:
The stone as depicted by Stuart has either been trimmed or it was the cast which was drawn. On one face there were two incised symbols: the crescent and V-rod with traces of ornament within the crescent, and below the arch symbol.
Date: seventh century. <4>
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> 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, 30; illust..
- <2> Text/Publication/Monograph: Stuart, J. 1856. Sculptured stones of Scotland. 1. 11; pl. 30.
- <3> Text/Publication/Volume: Mack, A. 1997. Field guide to the Pictish symbol stones. 141.
- <4> Interactive Resource/Online Database: RCAHMS. Canmore, online database of the Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 0248 7012 (6m by 6m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND07SW |
| Civil Parish | REAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (1)
- SYMBOL STONE (Pictish - 300 AD to 900 AD)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/319016/crosskirk (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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