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Balneilean

Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)

Site Name Balneilean

Classification Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)

Alternative Name(s) Balnalon, Balnellan, Balneilan

Canmore ID 15977

Site Number NJ12NW 2

NGR NJ 149 259

NGR Description NJ c. 149 259

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/15977

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council Moray
  • Parish Kirkmichael (Moray)
  • Former Region Grampian
  • Former District Moray
  • Former County Banffshire

Accessing Scotland's Past Project

In the early twentieth century a Pictish Symbol Stone was recorded built into the wall of a farm building at Balneilean. Today, the location of the stone is not known, as the farm buildings have now been covered by a cement wash. At one end, the stone bore three incised circles enclosed by a larger circle; at the other end there were a number of lines which may have represented an unfinished version of a symbol known as the 'Pictish Beast.'

Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project

Early Medieval Carved Stones Project

Balneilan, Moray, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 0.71m, 0.36m

Stone type:

Place of discovery: NJ c149 260

Present location: probably still in situ but hidden beneath harling.

Evidence for discovery: recorded in the mid nineteenth century by Stuart, built into the wall of the farm offices at Balneilan.

Present condition:

Description

This stone was incised with a double-outlined circle containing three smaller double circles, below and to the right were traces of a possible Pictish beast.

Date: seventh century

References: Stuart 1867, pl 104; Fraser 2008, no 149.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017

Early Medieval Carved Stones Project

Balneilan, Moray, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 0.71m, 0.36m

Stone type:

Place of discovery: NJ c149 260

Present location: probably still in situ but hidden beneath harling.

Evidence for discovery: recorded in the mid nineteenth century by Stuart, built into the wall of the farm offices at Balneilan.

Present condition:

Description

This stone was incised with a double-outlined circle containing three smaller double circles, below and to the right were traces of a possible Pictish beast.

Date range: seventh century

Primary references: Stuart 1867, pl 104; Fraser 2008, no 149.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018

Archaeology Notes

NJ12NW 2 c. 149 259.

(Area: NJ 149 259) A Class I symbol stone is built into the wall of the farm-offices at Balneilean (Ballnellan: NJ 149 259). It is a rectangular slab 2'4" by 1'2" with the corners of one end broken off. The incised ornament includes at one end three small circles enclosed within another circle all drawn with a double outline. Curved lines of unknown meaning occur on the remaining part of the slab.

J R Allen and J Anderson 1903.

Activities

Field Visit (3 March 1971)

No trace and no knowledge of this stone at Ballnellan. The farm buildings have had a cement wash and the stone is probably obscured by it.

Visited by OS (A A) 3 March 1971.

Reference (1997)

Class I symbol stone (lost) bearing a disc.

A Mack 1997.

External Reference (3 August 2002)

Dr Henery suggests that the 'curved lines of unknown meaning' may be traces of the back, hindquarters, legs and lappet of a Pictish 'beast' or 'elephant'.

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

References

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