Inverness, 'broad Stone'

Inverness 3, Broad Stone, Kingsmills, Inverness-shire, cross-base

Measurements: L 3.64m, W 1.97m, D more than 0.23m

Stone type:

Place of discovery: NH 6729 4492

Present location: in a small modern enclosure on the north side of Kingsmills Road, possibly in situ.

Evidence for discovery: known since the 15th century and thought to be the base of a cross marking the burgh boundary.

Present condition: some edge damage.

Description

This very large horizontal slab has a rectangular sunken slot, measuring 1.2m in length and 0.24m in width (depth uncertain), which was possibly designed to take the shaft of a cross.

Date: twelfth century?

References: Mack 2007, 174-5.

Compiled by A Ritchie 2017

NH64SE 4 6729 4492

(NH 6727 4491) "The original town of Inverness no doubt clustered round the walls of the stronghold on the Crown (NH 671 453) and evidence of the fact came to light within comparatively recent years with the digging up there of the Broadstone, which formed the socket of the old cross".

G Eyre-Todd 1923.

Broadstone Park takes its name from a broad circular stone, with a hole in the centre of it, which now lies under the pavement or footpath on the East side of Kingsmills Road, in front of the large tenement house opposite the Football Field.

T Wallace 1917.

NH 6729 4492 The Broadstone is now located in a small enclosure on the north side of Kingsmills Road at Broadstone Park. It is a large flat irregular shaped stone 3.5m. long x 2.0m broad, protruding 0.1m. above ground level. In the centre is an elongated socket 1.2m x 0.2m. A notice board states - "Uncovered 18.8.26, lost for 100 years; base of cross marking Burgh Boundary"

Visited by OS (W D J) 30 March 1960.