Falls Of Lochay 2

Date Fieldwork Started: 18/05/2021

Compiled by: Killin

Location Notes: The panel is the southern of two panels (with Falls of Lochay 1, ScRAP 1064) on a large outcrop of Schist bedrock at about 217m asl, on the N side of Glen Lochay, 350m NW of the Falls of Lochay. Overall the outcrop measures 6m N-S by up to 3.5m E-W, and slopes to the S at an average of 25 degrees. This and other exposures of bedrock to the E and W form a distinct ridge on the lower S slope of Creag Dhuin Croisg. The top of the outcrop is 2m S of an overgrown bank, the ground dipping slightly to its N; to the S of the panel, the ground slopes moderately steeply to the S for 8m, then drops more steeply. This panel lies 2m S of the bank. There is a smaller exposure of bedrock 4m to the W. The view to the S is across the glen to the hills to the S; to the E, down the glen, it is obscured by trees and nearby rising ground; to the N it is up Creag Dhuin Croisg; and to the W there is an extensive view up the glen, with the outcrop bearing the panels at Duncroisk Lower 1-9 (ScRAP 3409-3417), 1km to the WNW, clearly visible. There are further rock art panels broadly distributed along the floor and sides of the glen, but the only other recorded within 200m is Falls of Lochay 1, (ScRAP 1064), 1m to the N on the same outcrop as this panel. The only other visible feature is the old boundary bank to the immediate N, which appears to be the head dyke on the 1st edition OS map 1867.

Falls of Lochay 1 and 2 were previously grouped together in the same Canmore record (Canmore 274203).

Panel Notes: The panel forms part of a large Schist outcrop that slopes down to the S, and which includes relatively smooth surfaces separated by wide eroded fissures. The panel is an irregular shape measuring 3m (E-W) x 1.5m, and is up to 0.1m high. It has two connected parts - a smaller N part and larger S part whose curving shape is emphasised by deep grooves and folds in the bedding planes. The Schist is hard and coarse grained, although flaking at the bedding plains and fissures. The decoration, which is concentrated along the E side of the panel, comprises 15 plain cup marks, all but two of which lie in the S part of the panel. These are in two tight clusters, the SE cluster appearing to form a grid of 7 cupmarks; the NW cluster appears more random. A pair of cupmarks lies on the N part of the panel. The cupmarks measure 30mm-50mm in diameter, and are no more than 10mm deep. Only 8 of them were identified during initial recording, and the panel was revisited to investigate further features indicated by the 3D modelling. Many of the cupmarks are small and very shallow, and in addition to the 15 identified, there are at least 8 others possible marks. The distinction between certain cupmarks, possible cupmarks, and slight, probably natural depressions is a fine one.