Description of stone
Event ID 1009776
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1009776
Eagle Rock, Dalmeny, West Lothian, carved rock face
Measurements: sunken niche H 1.07m, W 0.76m, D 0.1m
Stone type:
Place of discovery: NT 1845 7743
Present location: on rock face above foreshore.
Evidence for discovery: first recorded by Wood in 1794 as traditionally thought to be a frontal eagle but it was already too worn to make out. At some point between 1926 and 1974 an iron grille was added to protect the carving, and this was removed before 1996.
Present condition: extremely weathered.
Description
Within a small sunken carved niche some 0.25m above the foreshore are the remains of a figure carved in relief. Rather than an eagle, Keppie suggested that it might represent either Mercury, god of travel and trade, or some local Genius or spirit (1986, 113). Its identification is uncertain owing to its poor state of preservation.
Date range: uncertain
References: Wood 1794; RCAHMS 1929, no 330; Keppie 1986, 113.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2016
