MHG9797 - Cross slab - Collieburn, Sput Dubh

Summary

No summary available.

Type and Period (1)

  • CROSS SLAB (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

NC90NW 10 9390 0916.
Cist and Cross Slab found AD 1869 (NAT) OS 6"map, (1964)

The lower part of an upright cross-slab of yellow sandstone was found erect under 7 feet of sand during the railway excavations near Collieburn in 1869. It is 5 ft 2 inches high and sculptured in relief on two faces, with double-headed knot-work, a swastika cross, a key pattern and small circular bosses. The slab appears to have been re-used as a door jamb or similar secondary purpose. It is in Dunrobin Museum.
Metric measurements, 1.55m x 0.74m x 0.29m.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; RCAHMS 1911.

Still in Dunrobin Museum (no. 17). No references can be discovered about the cist. Visited by OS (W D J) 4 April 1962.

New Acc No 1869.7
Info from TS of Catalogue of Dunrobin Museum, by A S Henshall.

Collieburn, Sutherland, carved fragment
Measurements: H 1.58m, W 0.67m, D 0.28m
Stone type:
Place of discovery: NC 9390 0916
Present location: Dunrobin Museum, Dunrobin Castle.
Evidence for discovery: found during digging of cutting for the railway in 1869, buried beneath more than two metres of sand close to the shore.
Present condition: top broken and some wear to carving. There has been secondary working on face C: the right-hand edge has been trimmed back and a recessed band has been created across the lower part of the slab. There are also secondary tool-marks below the recess.
Description:
This is the lower portion of a substantial monument, probably a cross-slab, carved in relief on both sides. Face A displays one complete panel of ornament, containing four linked roundels of double-beaded knotwork, and the lower part of a panel of diagonal key pattern. Close to the base of the slab is an incised swastika, which would have been hidden when the slab was set upright into the ground.
Date: eighth or ninth century.
References: ECMS pt 3, 51-3.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2016, Early Medieval Carved Stones Project

The symbol stone was catalogued during an inventory of Dunrobin Castle Museum's collection in 2019 by ARCH. Listed under Acc. No. 1869.7. It was on display on the lower floor. See attached photo taken by C. Ferne. <1>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 9389 0915 (10m by 10m) (2 map features)
Map sheet NC90NW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish LOTH

Finds (1)

  • SYMBOL STONE (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (1)

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