Archaeology Notes

Event ID 663170

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/663170

NH78NW 2 7082 8507

(NH 7083 8506) Clach Chairidh (NR) (Sculptured)

OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1907).

According to the Rev. Charles Cordiner the stone stood 'on a circular mount, artificially raised with steps of earth, at Cariblair in Ross-shire.'

C Cordiner 1788.

An unhewn pillar of red sandstone narrowing to a point at the top - whence the local name 'Clach Biorach' - 'the sharp stone'. Sculptured on one side only, it is 10ft 3ins high by 3ft 6ins wide and 1ft 6ins thick at the base (Allen and Anderson 1903).

There is a circle surrounding the stone at a radius of 3 yards, and 2ft above the surrounding plain. Supposed to mark the grave of a Danish prince killed in nearby battle.

New Statistical Account (NSA, written by D Gordon - 1840) 1845; J R Allen and J Anderson 1903.

This large symbol stone is as described by Allen and Anderson (1903).

It is oriented NW-SE but there is no trace of a circle round it. Gordon (NSA 1845) is probably confusing this site with NH78NW 1.

Visited by OS (W D J) 17 May 1963.

(NH 7083 8506) Clach Chairidh (NAT) Symbol Stone (NR)

OS 1:10,000 map, (1973)

This symbol stone, standing in an arable field, is as described by the previous authorities. Its position is erroneous on the OS map; it stands at NH 7082 8507, some 15m to the N. It has not been moved.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (J B) 27 February 1973.

This Class I symbol stone bears the fish symbol over a double-disc and Z-rod.

J R Allen and J Anderson 1903

Class I symbol stone bearing a salmon above a double-disc and Z-rod.

A Mack 1997.