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