Carlowrie

This fine fragment of a cross-shaft, was found in 1863 by Mr R Hutchison, built into the wall of the manse garden at Aberlady (see NT47NE 1) in East Lothian, and is now mounted and preserved within the vestibule at Carlowrie Castle. The fragment is of sandstone and measures 2 feet in height, 8 1/4 inches broad at the base and 7 1/2 inches at the top, by 7 1/4 inches thick at the bottom and 6 1/2 inches at the top. It is sculptured in high relief on all four sides. The front is divided into two panels, the upper of which contains two lizard-like beats with bodies bent round and interlaced with their limbs, while the lower contains the figure of an angel with a nimbus round the head. The back is similarly divided into two panels, having in the upper panel four long-necked birds arranged in pairs facing from opposite directions with their legs and necks crossed and interlaced, and in the lower panel a diagonal key-pattern. The right and left sides are ornamented with scroll foliage of Northumbrian type.

Visited by RCAHMS 23 August 1926

NT17SW 52.01 NT 14 74

A fragment of Anglian cross-shaft from Abercorn Parish Church (see NT07NE 1) is preserved at Carlowrie House. Photographs by T E Gray (July 1991) show the cross-shaft set against a wall and standing upon a moulding of possible medieval date. This, together with a niche and basin, the latter inscribed 'Sancti Nicolai de Strathbroke', were presumably brought from the medieval parish church of Uphall (see NT07SE 4). A decorated hood-moulding built into one of the lodges, of unknown provenance, may be of a similar origin.

Information from T E Gray, July 1991, and RCAHMS (IFr), 25 September 2001.