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Reference
Date 2001
Event ID 928379
Category Documentary Reference
Type Reference
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/928379
A large cross-marked boulder stands on a NW-facing hillside in the township of Clachan Sands, 1km SE of Hornish Strand and about 100m N of the slight remains of Dun Rosail (i). The extensive view includes a burial-ground on the site of a medieval parish church dedicated to St Columba, 0.7km to the NW, and a well dedicated to the same saint lies 1km to the S (ii).
The cross-marked stone is a massive slab of gneiss, similar to others which are partly detached from a rock-outcrop about 40m to the NNE. It has been set on edge and measures 3.8m from E to W by 3m in height, tapering in thickness from 0.9m at the base to 0.4m. The S face is almost flat, and high up towards the E end there is a Latin cross, now worn and lichen-stained. It measures 0.32m by 0.28m across the arms, and the lower part of the shaft is wider and more deeply sunk than the other arms, but all have slightly expanded rounded terminals. The shaft is extended for about 70mm by a narrower spike or pedestal to the right of its central axis.
Among the various names that have been recorded for the boulder are 'Crois Aona'ain' and 'An'adhan', suggesting a traditional association with St Adomnan which would be appropriate in an area with dedications to Columba (iii). The name 'Clach an t-Sagairt' ('the priest's stone') is often associated with meeting-places for recusant worship (iv), but this seems unlikely on North Uist. Martin about 1700 described a stone 'which the natives call a cross', and in 1878 it was believed to be 'the site of a general meeting place of the Picts for worship' (v).
Footnotes:
(i) RCAHMS 1928, No.325; NMRS database NF87NE 7.
(ii) E Beveridge 1911, 276-8; RCAHMS 1928, No.290; NMRS database NF87NE, nos.9 and 13; Name Book, Inverness-shire (Hebrides), No.6, p.87. A low mound N of the burial-ground is named Druim na Croise, 'Ridge of the Cross'.
(iii) A Carmichael et al 1928-71, 2, 222; A Carmichael 1887, 242-3, also recording the name 'Clach na h-Ulaidh' ('Stone of the Treasure'); E Beveridge 1911, 278.
(iv) Cf. A MacDonell and D McRoberts 1966, 71-81.
(v) M Martin 1934, 59; Name Book, Inverness-shire (Hebrides), No.6, p.90.
E Beveridge 1911, 277-8; RCAHMS 1928, No.170 and fig.103..
I Fisher 2001, 112.
