Inverurie Churchyard, Symbol Stones

Inverurie 1 Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 1.67m, W 0.48m, D 0.23m

Stone type: red granite

Place of discovery: NJ 6099 3025

Present location: Inverurie churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: all four symbol stones were built into the walls of the medieval church, which was demolished in 1775. They were then built into the churchyard wall, whence they were removed and set up in a line in the churchyard in the nineteenth century.

Present condition: broken and damaged.

Description

This slab is incised with parts of four Pictish symbols, one above the other: from the top, a crescent and V-rod, a circular disc and rectangle (‘mirror-case’), a serpent with a straight rod, and a double disc and Z-rod

Date: seventh century.

References: ECMS pt 3, 168-9; RCAHMS 2007, 123; Fraser 2008, no 26.1

Desk-based nformation compiled by A Ritchie 2017

Inverurie 2, Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 0.75m, W 0.62m, D 0.28m

Stone type: red granite

Place of discovery: NJ 6099 3025

Present location: Inverurie churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: all four symbol stones were built into the walls of the medieval church, which was demolished in 1775. They were then built into the churchyard wall, whence they were removed and set up in a line in the churchyard in the nineteenth century.

Present condition: trimmed.

Description

Part only of a symbol stone, this fragment is incised with two symbols: the disc and rectangle, and the arch, both with internal decoration.

Date: seventh century.

References: ECMS 169; RCAHMS 2007, 123; Fraser 2008, no 26.2.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017

Inverurie 3, Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 0.75m, W 0.62m, D 0.28m

Stone type: pink granite

Place of discovery: NJ 6099 3025

Present location: Inverurie churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: all four symbol stones were built into the walls of the medieval church, which was demolished in 1775. They were then built into the churchyard wall, whence they were removed and set up in a line in the churchyard in the nineteenth century.

Present condition: the top of the slab is missing.

Description

This is part of a symbol stone, incised with a large double disc and Z-rod, and above there is an arc of another symbol.

Date: seventh century.

References: ECMS pt 3, 169-70; RCAHMS 2007, 123; Fraser 2008, no 26.3.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017

Inverurie 4, Aberdeenshire, Pictish symbol stone fragment

Measurements: H 1.25m, W 0.82m, D 0.31m

Stone type: pink granite

Place of discovery: NJ 6099 3025

Present location: Inverurie churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: all four symbol stones were built into the walls of the medieval church, which was demolished in 1775. They were then built into the churchyard wall, whence they were removed and set up in a line in the churchyard in the nineteenth century.

Present condition: some weathering.

Description

This slab is incised with a trotting horse, facing right, with scroll joints and a long tail. The head has a pointed ear, circular eye and five hairs representing the mane.

Date: seventh century.

References: ECMS pt 3, 170; RCAHMS 2007, 123; Fraser 2008, no 26.4.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017

NJ72SE 11.00 centred 78043 20611

(NJ 7800 2064) Sculptured Stones (NR) found.

OS 6" map, Aberdeenshire, 2nd ed., (1928)

NJ72SE 11.01 NJ 7802 2062 Pictish Symbol Stone (Inverurie no. 1)

NJ72SE 11.02 NJ 7802 2062 Pictish Symbol Stone (Inverurie no. 2)

NJ72SE 11.03 NJ 7802 2062 Pictish Symbol Stone (Inverurie no. 3)

NJ72SE 11.04 NJ 7802 2062 Pictish Symbol Stone (Inverurie no. 4)

NJ72SE 11.05 NJ 7802 2062 Stone: Cross-incised

NJ72SE 11.06 NJ 7802 2062 Stone: Cross-incised

For Bass of Inverurie (NJ 7809 2059), Old Inverurie Churchyard (NJ 7800 2064) and Inverurie Cemetery (centred NJ 7815 2055), see NJ72SE 13, NJ72SE 15, NJ72SE 138 respectively.

There are four symbol stones lying in the church-yard at Inverurie. They were taken out of the church-yard walls, which were built from the materials of the old church (NJ72SE 15). They should be placed under cover to 'prevent their further disintegartion by the weather'. (For descriptions, see under entries for individual stones).

J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; J Stuart 1856.

In Inverurie churchyard there are four sculptured stones and two small cross-marked stones. Both the latter stones are circular with a triangular foot for fixing into the ground; both bear an incised cross on each face. The triangular foot has been broken off the smaller stone which measures 10 1/2 by 9 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches thick; the larger measures 16 1/2 by 12 by 5 inches thick.

J Ritchie 1911.

In 2018, Scheduled Monument Consent approved relocation of SM74 (four symbol stones) to within the grounds of SM99 (Bass and Little Bass Motte) and their housing within a glass case display.

The four Class I Pictish symbols stones were previously located 100m west northwest of their present location and are now in a glass display case on The Bass and Little Bass, motte-and-bailey castle (Scheduled Monument SM99). This is located within Inverurie Cemetery.

The stones are believed to have been previously built into the walls of the old parish church, which stood in the northwest corner of the adjacent cemetery. The kirk went out of use in 1775, its walls were used as a source to construct or repair the dykes of the kirkyard in the early 19th century. Three of the symbol stones were later removed from the dykes and while another was rescued when the walls were being constructed. The four symbol stones are now in a glass display case, known as and arranged (from left to right) as; Inverurie numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.