Tarfside
Cross Incised Stone (Early Medieval)
Site Name Tarfside
Classification Cross Incised Stone (Early Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Droustie's Meadow; Cross Stone
Canmore ID 33920
Site Number NO47NE 1
NGR NO 48413 79777
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/33920
- Council Angus
- Parish Lochlee
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Angus
- Former County Angus
Tarfside, Angus, cross-slab
Measurements: H 0.80m, W 0.50m, D 0.40m
Stone type: whinstone
Place of discovery: NO 48413 79777
Present location: in situ, beside an old track.
Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1853.
Present condition: weathered and damaged at the top.
Description
The north face of this boulder, facing the track, is incised with an outline Latin cross filling the available space.
Date range: seventh to ninth century.
Primary references: Jervise 1853, 81.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018
Reference (1853)
NO47NE 1 4844 7976.
(NO 4844 7976) Cross Stone (NR)
OS 6" map, Forfarshire and Angus, 2nd ed., (1902)
A large whinstone, crudely incised with a cross. According to local tradition, Bruce planted his standard on it. It was moved to its present position from another part of the hill within living memory; it may have been connected with St. Drostan's religious establishment, for 'Droustie's Meadow' is close to the spot, and it is possible that the stone may have originated from the 'Meadow' or from the site of the church of Droustie (NO48SW 4).
A Jervise 1853.
Field Visit (9 November 1967)
'Cross Stone': This is a rough boulder, 0.8m x 0.5m x 0.4m, which has a Latin cross in relief upon its N face. Lines have been encised to form the cross. The stone leans to the S at an angle of c. 40 degrees.
Visited by OS (NKB) 9 November 1967.
