Desk Based Assessment
Event ID 664715
Category Recording
Type Desk Based Assessment
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/664715
NJ05NW 34 0391 5537
See also NJ16NW 20.
(NJ 0391 5537) Sculptured Stone (NR) Runic
OS 6" map (1938)
The sandstone pillar, at Altyre, was brought there from the Laich, probably about 1820. According to the late H W Young of Elgin it came from the college field at the village of Rose isle (J R Allen and J Anderson 1903). Traditionally this stone is confused with a monument (Moray 6 SE 6) erected to commemorate the defeat of King Duncan by Thorfinn in 1040, or a victory won by Malcolm II over Camus the Dane. The Altyre stone is at least two centuries older than King Duncan. Its total height is given by Stuart as 15ft; slightly over 11ft now appears above ground level. It is 34in wide and 7in thick. The cross on the front is still partially preserved. Only the vertical beam remains of that on the back. The Ogham inscription on the slightly recessed flat of the undressed left side is 49in long and reaches up to a point 5ft from the summit. It reads AMMAQQAAHALIMVBVMA (?) AHHRRSSUDDS or AMMAQQADALLMVBVMA (?) AHHRRSSUDDS. Its meaning is unknown.
Information from OS
W M Calder and K Jackson 1959; J Stuart 1856
