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Mortlach, The Battle Stone
Cross Slab (Early Medieval), Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)
Site Name Mortlach, The Battle Stone
Classification Cross Slab (Early Medieval), Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)
Alternative Name(s) Dufftown; Mortlach 1
Canmore ID 16800
Site Number NJ33NW 12
NGR NJ 3237 3928
NGR Description NJ 3237 3928
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/16800
- Council Moray
- Parish Mortlach
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Banffshire
Mortlach, Battle Stone, Moray, Pictish cross-slab
Measurements: H 1.83m above ground, W 0.56m, D 0.18m
Stone type: green slate
Place of discovery: NJ 3237 3928
Present location: set in a path in the churchyard.
Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1832 in a field beyond the graveyard and later moved into the latter.
Present condition: weathered.
Description
This slab is carved on both broad faces. Face A bears an outline cross with rounded armpits, with incised running spiral ornament. Above the cross are two poorly delineated sea-monsters facing one another, while below is a clumsy attempt at a lion facing right. On face B are incised a bird facing left over a serpent over a bull’s head, above a horseman and hound.
Date: eighth or ninth century
References: Skene 1832, p 41; ECMS pt 3, 155-6; Fraser 2008, no 161.1.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018.
Field Visit (26 January 1967)
The Battle Stone, as described and illustrated by Allen and Simpson, stands in a graveyard recently extended. The stone, containing the incised scrolled symbol and elephant symbol now stands inside the N wing of the church at NJ 3237 3928. Its original find-spot cannot be ascertained.
Visited by OS (N K B) 26 January 1967.
Reference (1994)
The Battle Stone is as described by Allen and Anderson; it stands on a path in the lower graveyard extension. A further incised stone with a 'beast' and a curvilinear symbol was found in 1925 (NJ33NW 139), and is built into the vestibule of the church.
RCAHMS 1994.
Reference (1997)
One class II symbol stone - Mortlach 1- Cross on the north east face with two fish monsters above and a beast below.On the south west face is a bird above a serpent and a bull's head.A mounted figure with a hound appears at the foot of the stone on the reverse.
A Mack 1997
Desk Based Assessment
NJ33NW 12.00 3241 3924 and 3237 3928.
(NJ 3241 3924). Standing Stone (NR). (Sculptured).
OS 6" map, (1938)
A symbol stone known as the 'Battle Stone' stands in the middle of the field below Mortlach churchyard (NJ33NW 10) On it are incised a Celtic cross, two fish, a bird, serpent, horseman, etc. A further stone, incised with an elephant symbol, was found in 1925 in the grave- yard, and has been built into the churchyard wall.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; W D Simpson 1926.
The 'Battle Stone' is of green slate, 1.8m x 0.56m. sculptured on both faces in relief and with incised lines. The front bears a pair of fish monsters, a cross, and a beast in low relief. Back- traces of a bird symbol at the top. Below this, a serpent and bulls head, a horseman and a hound are all incised.
J Stuart 1856; C A Gordon 1967; RCAHMS 1985.
Information from OS.
