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MHG63116 - Cup Marked Stone - Strath Sgitheach Allt Na Criche (4)

Summary

A cup marked stone (D) at Strath Sgitheach Allt Na Criche.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

NH56SW 13 522 630.
Centred around NH 522630 are 8 cup marked rocks ('A' - 'H').
'A' is a boulder measuring 3.1m x 1.9m x 0.6 m high with at least fifteen shallow cup marks on its upper surface. NH 5220 6292
'B' a large block 3.6m x 1.8m x 1m maximum height. It is largely earth-covered. It has 23 cup marks on its two outer edges. NH 5213 6298
'C' a boulder 1.8m x 1.2m x 0.6m high with six cup marks. NH 5212 6297
'D' boulder 2.4m x 1m x 0.6m high with 7 small shallow cup marks. NH 5126 6296
'E' small boulder 1.1m x 0.7m x 0.3m high with 2 probable cup marks. NH 5201 6298
'F' a boulder lying close by has 7 shallow cup marks upon it. NH 5201 6301
'G', a boulder, 2.8m x 1.5m x 0.6m, lying on bank of a stream, has probably slipped from its original position due to erosion. It has 6 extremely shallow cup marks on its upper surface. NH 6196 6324
'H' is a slab 2.2m x 1.3m lying flush with ground; it has 3 probable cup marks on its surface. NH 5247 6295
Surveyed at 1:10 000. Visited by OS (J B) 16 November 1976

8 outcrops of rock with shallow cup-marks.
RCAHMS 1979, visited September 1978

This panel was not located during the ScRAP (Scotland’s Rock Art project) survey by members of NoSAS. <1>

This panel was recorded by members of NoSAS (Rock Art Group) in August 2023. The panel lies on the lower slopes of Cioch Mhor (to the northeast) and overlooks the Abhainn Sgitheach to the south. It is one of a cluster of 8 panels and was originally recorded as panel D in Canmore 12923. It is situated on ground sloping gently to the east and then more steeply into the dry watercourse. There is a scattered group of very old Scots pines to the west and south, and much of the immediate area is covered in bracken. It is about 50m north of the more prominent panel Strath Sgitheach Allt na Criche 1. Apart from rock art there are hut circles and other prehistoric remains in the vicinity.

The panel is a rounded slab of grey mica schist, about 2.4m long by 0.8m deep. The carved surface slopes at about 20 degrees to the southwest, into the hillside. There is a tight group (or rosette) of 14 small cups at the northwest end and 3 other cups in the centre. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2021 vertical aerial photographs. <3>

Note; the original Canmore record contained a typing error transposing NH 5126 6296 for NH 5216 6296 (TB 4/9/24)

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 5218 6295 (8m by 8m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH56SW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	DINGWALL

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