Kirkton Manor, Font Stone

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

NT23NW 30 2175 3782.

(NT 2175 3782) Font Stone (NR) (Site of)

OS 6" map (1909)

This cross-base, mistakenly regarded as a font, was moved, probably in 1874, to NT 1941 3071 (NT13SE 2), by the supposed site of St Gordian's Chapel, from which it has been said that it was removed and erected at this site. This statement should be treated with great caution in view of the mistaken ideas that have been held regarding the chapel and the parish church, and it seems much more likely that the cross-base was simply taken from the nearby parish churchyard.

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1957

There is no knowledge of the cross base in this area.

Visited by OS (RD) 25 June 1971