Netherurd Mains

Netherurd Mains, Peeblesshire, cruciform stone

Measurements: H 0.46m, W 0.24m, 0.09m

Stone type: white sandstone

Place of discovery: NT 1041 4403

Present location: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh.

Evidence for discovery: found during ploughing around 1943.

Present condition: the left-hand arm is missing.

Description

This is a small tapering cruciform stone, deeply incised on one broad face with somewhat chaotic designs. The slab has a plain border, and a central boss which might be seen as the head of Christ on the cross, the later indicated by single vertical and horizontal lines. The ‘swastika’ identified by Stevenson appears rather to be part of the overall pattern.

Date: tenth or eleventh century.

References: Stevenson 1959, 52-3; RCAHMS 1967, no 380.

Compiled by A Ritchie 2016

NT14SW 29 1041 4403.

(NT 1041 4403) Cross Slab found AD 1958 (NAT)

OS 6" map (1968)

A small cross-shaped sculptured stone was ploughed up about 1943 on the crest of a slight rise a quarter of mile W of Netherurd Mains. Of coarse white sandstone, it measures 18" in height and 3 1/2" thick; the foot and one of the projecting arms are missing, and the sides splay out so that whereas the flat top is 9 1/2" in width, the bottom was at least 14 1/2". The back and sides of the stone are undecorated and the carving on the face is extremely crude. Framed by a plain border, it consists mainly of a deeply incised, debased interlace design. Centrally between the arms there is a small boss, and below this to the left is an incised swastika. The date of the stone, which is now in the NMAS, is thought not to be earlier than the 10th century.

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1961; R B K Stevenson 1961

The approximate find-spot was pointed out at NT 1041 4403 by Mr Sanderson (Netherurd Mains).

Visited by OS (WDJ) 15 July 1964