Archaeology Notes

Event ID 697224

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/697224

NR89SW 13 8248 9192.

NR 825 920. "The Monk's or Friar's Graveyard", a circular enclosure 35' in diameter, within a low wall lies in marshy ground E of where the track leading N to High Barrnakill (NR 8265 9220) passes the foot of a rocky ridge.

A granite slab, 3'11" high, 16" broad, and 8 1/2" thick bearing a Greek cross, incised about 1/2" deep, with expanded terminals, and an illegible inscription in Hiberno-Saxon miniscules, formerly stood upright in the wall of the enclosure although Lacaille (1925), who saw it in situ, doubted that it was in its original position. It is known as "the Monk's or Friar's Cross", and is now at St Columba's Chapel, Poltalloch (NR 816 965).

(The name "Barrnakill" (NR 819 913) - Top of the Church - probably originally referring to the summit at NR 822 917, suggests the presence of a church in the area.)

A D Lacaille 1925; M Campbell and M Sandeman 1964; M Campbell 1963.

The cross dates from the 7th century.

A C Thomas 1971.