MHG4041 - Cup-marked stone - Torr Mor, Gaodal, Rhu

Summary

A cup marked stone at Gaodal in Rhu.

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Full Description

One of the finest examples of cup-marked stones in the west of Scotland lies at a place called Gaoidal, near Arisaig House, on the bare summit of a ridge between the arm of the sea on the south called Loch-nan-Uagh, and an open valley to the north.
It is a prostrate flat slab of micha-schist measuring 5 x 4 x 1 1/2ft thick. It was found and sketched in 1881 by Jolly, and bore 82 cups, mostly averaging 2-3 inches in diameter, but some as much as 6".
W Jolly 1882.

NM 6686 8446. This cup-marked stone is as described by Jolly.
Surveyed at 1/10,000
Visited by OS (NKB) 19 May 1970

Gaoth Dail was surveyed in 2012 by Rough Bounds Archaeology et al and descends from 50 m above sea level to the shore for c.350m north to south and a maximum of 150 m east to west. It is surrounded by an extant dry stonewall with several substantial roofless buildings.

Site 2a; Cup marked stone <1>

This panel was recorded as part of the ScRAP (Scotland’s Rock Art project) by members of NoSAS in November 2019. The panel is located about 3 miles south of Arisaig in a deserted multi-period settlement called Ghaoideil from which the stone takes its name (pronounced 'Goochel'). It lies near the top of a broad north-south pass surrounded by ridge and furrow cultivation remains, and about 30m west of the footpath to the settlement and the shore. Bare heather covered slopes rise to the east whilst to the west the rising slopes are a mix of heather bracken and woodland. The stone lies on the edge of an area of rig and furrow now marshy with Juncus rush and sphagnum dominant as a result of neglected drainage. It can only be seen from the slopes to the west and is easy to miss due to the undulating ground near the top of the pass. From the panel there are extensive views northeast, but in order to look south to Moidart and the sea one must walk 100m to the top of the pass.

This is a roughly rectangular schist boulder measuring 1.5 x 1.3m, with a maximum height of 0.4m. It lies flat and level on the ground. All of the surface is decorated. The top of the stone is slightly hog backed and hipped to the north giving the effect of three faces, though the hog itself is decorated and includes the largest cup. There are up to 85 circular and sub-circular depressions on the upper surface, with sizes varying from 14cm diameter and 7.5cm deep to 2.5cm diameter and 0.2-0.3cm deep. Some are oval or slightly irregular in shape and are likley to be natural features, as is the largest depression, which is straight sided and may have been enhanced with a metal tool. Closer inspection is needed to determine whether some of the features are cupmarks of prehistoric date. The rock surface is eroded and there is physical damage on the east side due to being struck by a sledgehammer or heavy machine. The cups are usually full of water and sheep dung but not on the day of recording. The visiting public frequently leave 'offerings' of coins or pebbles in the larger cups. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2020 vertical aerial photographs. <3>

Note; NGR on the Scrap record is incorrect and location based on ScRAP map plan and Rhu report NGR. (TB 29/7/24)

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