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MHG58994 - Cross Slabs - Sgorr Nam Ban-naomha

Summary

No summary available.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

This small enclosed site is dramatically situated on a rock-bound coastal terrace below steep scree-slopes overhung by sheer basalt cliffs which rise to a height of about 90m. There is no convenient boat-landing, and the normal approach is from the NE by an eroded footpath which descends the screes. Although the place-name means 'cliff (or 'scree') of the holy women', the enclosure was probably of monastic origin.
The oval enclosure measures about 37m from N to S by 31m within a massive drystone wall, up to 2m in thickness and 1.5m in height, which rises onto the slope to the N. At the centre there is a circular structure, 5m in diameter, and on the slope in the NW sector there are remains of small huts or platforms, perhaps the leaba crabhach or stone beds used by pilgrims seeking cures up to the 19th century. In the SE sector a D-shaped enclosure contains within a rectangular kerb a collection of rounded pebbles and loose slabs which appear to be the collapsed remains of a small hut known as 'the altar'. Outside the main enclosure to the W there were turf walls which channelled water through a lintelled opening in the W wall to serve a possible mill and a latrine, merging with the overflow from a well-house. The footings of a probable chapel, 6m by 4.5m and having a N doorway, are situated 11m S of the S entrance of the enclosure.
The three carved stones described below were identified during the present survey in 1993-4, among the loose stones composing 'the altar'. They are now at Canna House.
(1) Fragment of Torridonian sandstone, broken on all sides and measuring 0.25m by 0.13m and 35mm thick. The background is cut away to form a relief cross with curved armpits and a slight central depression, the shaft being flanked by rectangular panels. (RCAHMS 1995, 14; RCAHMS 1999d).
(2) Irregular fragment of a cruciform stone of Torridonian sandstone, 0.24m by 0.26m and 25mm thick. The arms are broken except for one short and round-ended side-arm, but there are slight traces of the rounded armpit of the opposite arm. At the centre of one face there is a much-worn pecked equal-armed cross, 0.13m in span.
(3) Two fragments of a rectangular slab of Torridonian sandstone. The larger fragment, which includes two worked edges, measures 0.38m by 0.27m and varies from 30mm to 40mm in thickness, the back being irregularly flaked and laminated. It bears the shallow grooves defining one side and the end of a cross-arm and part of one quadrant of its ring. The other fragment, broken on all sides and measuring only 105mm by 80mm, fits closely to the first and preserves traces of the opposite side of the cross-arm at the break-line, as well as the curve of the next quadrant of the ring. The cross-arm, which was about 85mm high, appears to have had a slight expansion at the outer angle of the defining groove (d). The ring was about 45mm wide and encloses a slight depression, but the form of the armpits is uncertain. It is possible that this was part of a recumbent graveslab, of the type found on Iona.

This remote enclosed site is situated on a coastal terrace below steep cliffs. Probably of monastic origin, it may have been a hermitage or penitential station associated with an Early Christian church at nearby Canna Harbour. Survey by the RCAHMS in 1994 discovered three carved stones, bearing crosses, within the enclosure.
RCAHMS Broadsheet 5, Canna, The Archaeology of a Hebridean Landscape.
Information from RCAHMS (SC) 7 August 2007

Sgor nam Ban-Naomha 1, Canna, Skye & Lochalsh, cross-slab fragment
Measurements: H 0.25m, W 0.13m, D 0.04m
Stone type: Torridonian sandstone
Place of discovery: NG 2299 0439
Present location: Canna House.
Evidence for discovery: found during RCAHMS fieldwork in 1993-4, in the ruins of a stone-built hut.
Present condition: broken and weathered.
Description:
This fragment represents the central portion of a small cross-slab carved in relief with a cross with curved armpits and a central hollow.
Date range: eighth or ninth century.
Primary references: Fisher 2001, 101.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2016

Sgor nam Ban-Naomha 2, Canna, Skye & Lochalsh, cross-slab fragment
Measurements: H 0.24m, W 0.26m, D 0.03m
Stone type: Torridonian sandstone
Place of discovery: NG 2299 0439
Present location: Canna House.
Evidence for discovery: found during RCAHMS fieldwork in 1993-4, in the ruins of a stone-built hut.
Present condition: broken and weathered.
Description:
This fragment is part of a cruciform grav-marker with a simple Latin cross incised on one broad face. Only one arm of the cruciform shape survives.
Date range: seventh or eighth century.
Primary references: Fisher 2001, 101.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2016

Sgor nam Ban-Naomha 3, Canna, Skye & Lochalsh, cross-slab fragments
Measurements: H 0.38m, W 0.35m, D 0.04m
Stone type: Torridonian sandstone
Place of discovery: NG 2299 0439
Present location: Canna House.
Evidence for discovery: found during RCAHMS fieldwork in 1993-4, in the ruins of a stone-built hut.
Present condition: broken and weathered.
Description:
These two conjoining fragments form the top left and central portion of a rectangular cross-slab. It is incised on one broad face with the upper arm and ring segments of a ringed outline cross.
Date range: eighth or ninth century.
Primary references: Fisher 2001, 101.

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 2299 0439 (37m by 41m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG20SW
Civil Parish	SMALL ISLES
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

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Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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