Archaeology Notes

Event ID 719621

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/719621

NT67NE 62 6691 7520.

(NT 6691 7520) Witches' Stone (NR) (Site of).

OS 6" map (1957)

The Witch's Stone" is a rough block of stone about 22 ins each way, lying at the root of a hedge and, at the time of the visit by the RCAHMS in 1913, almost covered with road scrapings. Spott was notorious for its witches in the 17th and early 18th centuries and, according to the RCAHMS this stone is placed near the spot where Marion Lillie, the Ringwoodie Witch, was burnt about 1698.

The only stone mentioned by the New Statistical Account [NSA] is that 'to be seen a little way to the east of the manse' which was supposed to mark the place where 'the last witch executed in Scotland' was burnt.

RCAHMS 1924; NSA 1845 (R B Thomson)

The stone, as described by the RCAHMS, has been uncovered at NT 6690 7519, and is now enclosed by an iron fence on which there is a plaque: the spelling is 'Witches' Stone'.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RD) 25 March 1966