External Reference

Date 3 August 2002

Event ID 920013

Category Documentary Reference

Type External Reference

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/920013

Dr B Henery has pointed out that the head and undulating body of a serpent, not previously noted, are visible between the incised lettering and the 'fish-monster'. The serpent runs horizontally across the stone, with its head, which is shown as seen from above, facing towards the dexter side of the stone. The outline of the head appears on Stuart's plate (1856, pl.xvii), and the head and body are discernable on photographs by RCAHMS (A36869), T E Gray (B82886/po), and A Mack (B80639/po). The serpent does not appear in Allen and Anderson's sketch (1903, 129), but this is clearly in error in a number of other respects. Most significantly Allen and Anderson show the 'fish-monster' to be complete, whereas Stuart's plate indicates that flaking of the surface between the tail and the head had already taken place.

Information from letter (NMRS MS/1134) from Dr B Henery, 3 August 2002.