christianised standing stone?

BigSweetie Sep 12, 2005 16:00:29

Hi,

What do others think of <a href="http://www.stravaiging.com/blog/index.php?id=31">this stone</a>? (the one down the bottom of the page)

It's not listed as a Pictish stone anywhere, and CANMORE (<a href="http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.newcandig_details_gis?inumlink=26347">record 26347</a>) says it may be associated with a chapel of St Maroc (now lost).

To me it looks like it could be a christianised standing stone - any takers? Sorry the picture isn't great - I was being chased by spaniels when I took it. You can just make out the large inscribed cross spread across the entire face.

Cheers
Andy

Paulus Sep 12, 2005 17:32:50

Replying to BigSweetie

Looks decidely heathen to me!

Lubin Sep 12, 2005 19:00:14

Replying to BigSweetie

Here is one that stands on Dartmoor. It is part of the Butterdon Stone Row.

<http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/39750>

Peace Lubin.

fitzcoraldo Sep 12, 2005 19:44:27

Replying to BigSweetie

Hi Andy
Your stone certainly looks the part.

I'm glad your legs are sorted.
Does this mean that 'Skin So Soft' doesn't live up to the hype?

Hob Sep 12, 2005 21:39:36

Replying to BigSweetie

>You can just make out the large inscribed cross spread across the entire face.

If y'adn't mentioned that, I don't think I'd have spotted it, it looks like a old-time orthostat. Gets my vote.

PS. Cheers for the disc with the pdfs :)

BigSweetie Sep 13, 2005 11:42:51

Replying to BigSweetie

I've added the stone <a href="http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/7614">here</a> and on myown site <a href="http://www.stravaiging.com/history/ancient/site.php?id=99">here</a>

Cheers
Andy

Lianachan Sep 16, 2005 12:25:11

Replying to BigSweetie

It could be a Class III Pictish stone - it's association with a long vanished chapel dedicated to a Saint and it's location not too far from late Pictish power centres may back that up slightly, although the evidence is purely circumstantial.

From the images you've posted the cross doesn't seem to be very intricately carved whereas most Class III stones are, though.

Lianachan Sep 16, 2005 12:56:26

Replying to BigSweetie

Another thought - there may well be some evidence of the chapel that was dedicated to St. Mardoc. Placename evidence.

I notice on CanMap that the stone is across the modern A9 from an area called "Kilmorich" - "kil", of course, signifies a church. In 1246, a church was founded at the head of Loch Fyne which was dedicated to St Mordac - it was called "Kilmorich", so it could be that this Kilmorich has the same origin?

Circumstantial again, but interesting (to people like me who like placenames, anyway).