Field Visit

Date 19 July 1910

Event ID 926418

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/926418

Lying on the grassy slope between the two ranges of cottages that run N. and S. to the NE. of the harbour of Lybster, and some 40 yards S. of the northmost cottages, is a block of yellow sandstone. In form it is roughly triangular, measuring some 2' 2" x 3'. A large basin-shaped depression, which appears to be natural, runs in from the left edge, and another large hole has been worn by weather near the lower end of the stone. Cut across the right-hand corner is an equal-limbed Celtic cross measuring 1' 8" in width. The arms expand outwards from 5 1/2" to 7" and their extreme length and the 1 3/4" in width.

This stone is referred to in the description of parish of Latheron (c. 1726), published in Macfarlane's Geographical Collections, as follows: " On the face of a brae above the inlett of this burn (Risgil) there is a stone to which, as the natives tell, many frequented in time of superstition. It's hollow where they sate and on the back there is is the figure of a cross tripled cutt out. ther are some hollow places on both sides as if designed for both the elbows."

Visited by RCAHMS, 19th July 1910

W Macfarlane 1906-8