The Binn 3

RCAHMS undertook a GPS survey to locate the cup-and-ring markings and cross incised stone near Silverbarton farm

Date Fieldwork Started: 23/08/2017

Compiled by: ELF

Location Notes: The Binn 3 is located within cluster of large boulders and outcropping sandstone on a steep W facing slope within mature mainly beech deciduous woodland, about 250m N of the main A909 road at Burntisland and about 80m SE of The Binn Pond. It is part of a tight grouping of panels on the outcrop (The Binn 1, 2 and 3) with The Binn 3 situated just below The Binn 1 (ScRAP 829, Canmore 269301). All three panels were previously grouped under Canmore 269301. To the E the land slopes steeply down to towards the panels while to the W the ground continues to slope down steeply. The trees only partially obscure good views over the Firth of Firth to the S and across the adjacent valley to the W and N. To the W can be seen the ruin of Silverbarton Farm. To the N of the panels and on the far side of a barbed fence, a public footpath is located which leads from the A909 to The Binn Hill. A further outcrop with a cluster of possible cupmarks (The Binn 4, ScRAP 2670, Canmore 269307) lies across the fence and footpath from this grouping, approximately 150 m to the N on the far edge of a large gorse patch. Dunearn Fort (Canmore 52860) lies approx 1200m to WNW and Glassmount Standing Stone (Canmore 52785) lies approx 2600m to NE.

Panel Notes: This is a large, roughly lozenge shaped, earth fast sandstone boulder measuring 2.8x1.1m and rising to a maximum height of 1.8m above the ground on its downslope (W) side where it juts out from the edge of the scarp. The panel upper surface slopes gently to the SE with the carvings situated mainly on its S half. There are several natural solution hollows,and fissures on the N end of the panel, and a scattering of nodules - possibly iron rich - protruding from the rock surface, some echoing the shape of the cupmarks. The S end of the panel features 2 cups with single rings and radial, 1 cup with single ring and double radial, 2 cups with single rings, 2 small ring marks, 1 cup with long groove and at least 3 cupmarks. At the N end of the panel is a series of circular depressions that may be eroded cupmarks, some of them forming a possible rosette.