Accessibility

Font Size

100% 150% 200%

Background Colour

Default Contrast
Close Reset

St Gordian's Cross

Cross Base (Early Medieval)

Site Name St Gordian's Cross

Classification Cross Base (Early Medieval)

Alternative Name(s) Font Stone, Kirkhope; Newholm Hope Burn

Canmore ID 49891

Site Number NT13SE 2

NGR NT 1941 3071

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/49891

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Copyright and database right 2024.

Toggle Aerial | View on large map

Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council Scottish Borders, The
  • Parish Manor
  • Former Region Borders
  • Former District Tweeddale
  • Former County Peebles-shire

Early Medieval Carved Stones Project

St Gordian’s Cross, Newholm Hope Burn, Kirkhope, Peeblesshire, cross-base

Measurements: H 0.48m, W 0.66m by 0.56m

Stone type: grey sandstone

Place of discovery: NT 2175 3782

Present location: in a small enclosure near Kirkhope (NT 1941 3071).

Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1838 on a small hillock near Kirkton Manor (ID 51301), and moved about 1874 to its present location at the traditional site of St Gordian’s Chapel.

Present condition: greatly worn and damaged, especially the socket which has been enlarged to resemble a font.

Description

The stone has a waisted profile and there are hints of decoration. The rectangular base of the original socket is intact, measuring 0.23m by 0.20m.

Date: possibly tenth century.

References: RCAHMS 1967, no 379.

Compiled by A Ritchie 2016

Archaeology Notes

NT13SE 2 1941 3071.

(NT 1941 3071) Font Stone on Supposed Site of St.

Gordian's Kirk (NR)

OS 6" map, Peeblesshire, 2nd ed., (1909).

Font Stone (NAT)

OS 6" map, (1963).

This stone, which has been commonly regarded as a font, is in reality a cross-base. It formerly stood at the road junction midway between Hallyards and Manor Kirk (See NT23NW 30) and now stands on a sandstone pedestal within a small enclosure. The cross-base, of grey sandstone, has been much damaged, particularly the socket which has been enlarged,apparently by battering, to form a rough basin with a notch for overflow. It is now up to 1'7" high and measures 2'2" x 1'10".

The "Coninie Stone" (NT13SE 3) was also kept here between c 1890 and 1934.

(See NT13SE 5 for St. Gordian's Kirk)

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1957.

This cross-base is as described.

Re-surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS(EGC) 26 June 1961 and (BS) 4 October 1974.

Activities

Sbc Note (15 April 2016)

Visibility: Standing structure or monument.

Information from Scottish Borders Council

References

MyCanmore Image Contributions


Contribute an Image

MyCanmore Text Contributions