Newton of Lewesk Description of stone
Event ID 1022308
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1022308
Newton of Lewesk, Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone
Measurements: H 0.93m, W 0.55m
Stone type: reddish granite
Place of discovery: NJ c 815 129
Present location: beside the driveway of Kinellar House (NJ 693 279)
Evidence for discovery: found in 1914 ‘embedded in the soil’ on Newton of Lewesk farm. It was taken first to Logie Elphinstone House and later to Kinellar House.
Present condition: plough-damaged edges and parts of the carving are worn.
Description
One face of this irregular boulder bears three or possibly four incised Pictish symbols. A disc and rectangle towards the top of the stone has traces of a spiral design within the disc. Its base touches a rectangle below, which has an inner small square and which may represent a shield with a spear projecting behind it. To the left of this possible shield symbol appears to be part of a single-sided comb with a high back shaped into semi-circular projections. Below the shield is a double crescent symbol with two back-to-back crescents, each with an inner curved projection.
Date: seventh century.
References: Ritchie 1916, 280-5; Fraser 2008, no 39.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017.
