Pitmuies

Pitmuies, Guthrie, Angus, cross-slab in socketed base

Measurements: cross-slab H 1.60m above the socket stone, W 0.80m; socket stone L 1.62m, W 1.4m, H 0.18m above ground

Stone type: red sandstone

Place of discovery: NO c 5666 4997

Present location: in the garden of Gardener’s Cottage, Pitmuies House.

Evidence for discovery: thought to have stood on the north side of the Arbroath to Forfar road until roadworks caused it to be moved to Pitmuies House.

Present condition: the base is broken into two fragments held together by iron clamps. The upper part of the cross-slab is missing, and there is edge-damage to the slab.

Description

The cross-slab fragment is cemented into the base and thus the height of both is uncertain. The socket stone appears not to be dressed, and the socket is rectangular, fitting the carved slab closely. The latter is carved in relief on both broad faces with a ringed cross within a plain flat-band border and a plain background. On face A the shaft of the cross tapers as it rises from an open rectangular base, the latter embellished by spirals at all its corners. On face C the shaft of the cross has vertical sides and rises from a two-stepped base, the corners of which are again embellished with spirals. Beneath the slightly arched base of the cross there is part of a scene with two or perhaps more quadrupeds, one enmeshed with a serpent.

Date range: ninth or tenth century.

Primary references: Borland et al 2007, 104-6.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018

NO54NE 4 56668 49974

(NO 5667 4996) Standing Stone (NAT)

OS 6" map, Forfarshire and Angus, 2nd ed., (1927)

(NO 5667 4996) Cross Slab (NR)

OS 6" map, (1971).

The remains of a cross-shaft stand on the Pitmuies estate, a short distance SW of Guthrie Junction station.

The fragment bears upon it, in relief, the standard of the cross, but the transverse limb and head- piece are broken off. The stone had been pierced at the junction of the cross, which made mutilation easy. The stone now measures 56" x 29", while the cross is about 8" wide.

It stood on the roadside for many years, detached from the dyke bounding the railway; it was built into the park dyke before the formation of the railway. It is said to have originally stood on ground now occupied by the Arbroath-Forfar road, and that it was moved when the road was constructed.

P Chalmers 1848; J Carrie 1881.

Part of a cross-slab, with a cross-shaft of unusual type on both faces. Apart from some scroll ornament at the base of one of the crosses, little can be distinguished. Opinion is divided as to whether or not this is Pictish. If it is, it must be a very late and degenerate example of Pictish sculpture.

H Coutts 1970.