Monument record MAB31661 - ABBOT'S CROSS

Group of boulders, known as the 'Abbot's Cross' sit on the shoulder of Strone Hill.

Group of boulders, known as the 'Abbot's Cross' sit on the shoulder of Strone Hill. They are arranged in two arms or ridges, intersecting one another at right angles. Each arm is circa 6 1/2' (2 m) wide, one arm, 36' (11 m) long and the other, 34' (10.4 m) long. The stones were piled to form ridges varying from 2' (0.6 m) to 2 1/2' (0.8 m) above ground level, and most of them are now overgrown with grass and heather, but at the outward ends of the arms the largest boulders are placed. In the centre, where the arms intersect, is a cavity about 1' (0.3 m) deep and 2' (0.6 m) in diameter, which was probably occupied originally by an upright stone, now removed. This is possibly the site of a boundary stone set up by the Abbot of Arbroath about the end of the 12th century (Warden gives the date '1253') to mark the limit of Kingoldrum estate, owned by the Abbey. Fenton adds that the cross-stone is not mentioned in early documents. Now the Abbot's Cross appears as raised strips of earth in the form of a cross, each arm measuring 10.0 m and 0.3 m in height, spread to 2.7 m. It has a setting of small boulders at the extremities of each arm, and a small cavity in the centre.

, (Photograph). SAB25877.

WARDEN, A. J., 1880-85, ANGUS OR FORFARSHIRE: THE LAND & PEOPLE, Vol.4, 28 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2086.

Fenton, W, 1948, Proc Soc Antiq Scot 80, 34-6 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11759.

Record last edited

Apr 7 2026 3:36PM