Cairnton
Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)
Site Name Cairnton
Classification Pictish Symbol Stone (Pictish)
Alternative Name(s) Hill Of Middleton
Canmore ID 183276
Site Number NJ81NE 79
NGR NJ 8571 1971
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/183276
- Council Aberdeenshire
- Parish Fintray
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Gordon
- Former County Aberdeenshire
Cairnton, Fintray, Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone
Measurements: H 1.35m, W 0.91m, D 0.36m
Stone type:
Place of discovery: NJ 8571 1971
Present location: Marischal College Museum, University of Aberdeen.
Evidence for discovery: found in a large field clearance heap in 2001.
Present condition: weathered.
Description
A kite-shaped natural slab, one face bears two incised symbols: a crescent and V-rod above a triple disc or cauldron. The latter has a ring and dot in the centre of each circle. The crescent is filled with scroll designs.
Date: seventh century.
References: Shepherd 2001; Fraser 2008, no 9.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2017
Artefact Recovery (2001)
NJ81NE 79 8571 1971
For surrounding rig, see NJ81NE 63.
(Location cited as NJ 8571 1971 and name as Cairnton). A class I Pictish symbol stone was found lying within a large clearance heap on a ridge at an altitude of 145m OD. It is complete and in good condition, and measures 1.3m in length by 0.91m in width and 0.36m in thickness. The stone bears a crescent and V-rod and a large cauldron symbol, and has been declared Treasure Trove.
[Photographed by AAS 9 March 2001; GIS plot attached].
NMRS, MS/712/101.
NJ 8571 1974. A complete Class I Pictish symbol stone was found on a large, modern farm stone pile. It is 1.3m long, 0.91m maximum width and up to 0.36m thick, and bears a crescent and V-rod and a large triple disc symbol, both weathered differentially. The former symbol is filled with reversed S-figures and measures 0.67m from tip to tip of the crescent. The stone was claimed as Treasure Trove and disposed to Marischal College Museum, University of Aberdeen. It has not been possible to locate the original findspot.
I A G Shepherd 2001.
