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The Loth Stone
Standing Stone (Prehistoric)
Site Name The Loth Stone
Classification Standing Stone (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Dumpender; Cairndinnis Farm
Canmore ID 56410
Site Number NT57SE 2
NGR NT 5782 7414
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/56410
- Council East Lothian
- Parish Prestonkirk
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District East Lothian
- Former County East Lothian
NT57SE 2 5782 7414
See also NT57SE 15 and NT57SE 21.
(NT 5781 7409) Standing Stone (NR)
OS 6" map (1908)
(NT 5781 7409) Standing Stone (NR) (site of)
(NT 5782 7414) Standing Stone (NR) (moved)
OS 6" map (1969)
Standing Stone, Cairndinnis Farm: This four-sided monolith is situated 300 yds SSW of Traprain Law. It is 8ft high and the sides vary in breadth from 2ft 6 ins to 1ft 3 ins. This stone is known as the 'Loth Stone' on the supposition that it marks the grave of a fictitious monarch named Loth. It has been moved (post-1913) from its original position to the edge of the field to facilitate ploughing; at the time of its removal the ground about it was excavated, but nothing was found. However, the Ordnance Survey Name Book [ONB], which does not give a name to this standing stone, records that 'stone coffins' have been found in its vicinity, and there is also mention of a cist being found at NT 5784 7409 in 1861 - see NT57SE 21 for this find.
R W Feachem 1963; RCAHMS 1924, visited 1913; Name Book 1853
This standing stone is as described. It is in good condition and there is no sign of any inscription.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 23 October 1962.
Papers and correspondence relating to the movement and re-erection of the stone are held in the National Archives of Scotland: Scheduling File SRO DD/27/1482; Excavation Files SRO DD/27/328, SRO DD/27/1482.
Information from J N Graham Ritchie, 30 June 2003.
Field Visit (28 May 1913)
Some 400 yards north of the standing stone (No. 99) and some 300yards south-south-west of the foot of Traprain Law, near the corner of a field, is a fine four-sided pillar, pointed near the top and slightly inclined to the north-west. It measures 8 feet in height, 1 foot 10 inches across the north-western face, 1 foot 7 inches across the south-western face, 2 feet 6 inches across the south-eastern face, and 1 foot 3inches across the north-eastern face.It is known as the ‘Loth Stone’, as according to tradition Loth (l), who was a king in this district, and whose name is said to be seen in the word ‘Lothian’, was buried here. To the east of the stone the O.S. map notes a stone cist found in 1861.
RCAHMS 1924, visited 28 May 1913.
(1) Cf. [RCAHMS 1924] Introd. p. xviii (NOTE)
