Find Spot record MAB48667 - RAVENSCRAIG STONE

A large fragment of a Pictish stone which was noticed protruding from a derelict drystone wall at this location in 2003.

A large fragment of a Pictish stone which was noticed protruding from a derelict drystone wall at this location in 2003. The weathered and lichen-encrusted edge was seen to bear interlace carving. The stone is a sub-rectangular fragment of reddish sandstone (not local to Buchan), which has been broken-off a larger carving. It measures 31 cm in length by 25.8 cm and 15 cm thick. The interlace occurs on a slightly angled edge and is deeply cut. The face of the stone bears relief carving in two fragmentary panels, defined by a horizontal band of raised stone which itself appears to bear traces of incised lettering. The left hand side of the upper panel bears a deeply incised recess in which are the relief carving of a T-form, above which is the possible reverse of the form, although the 'stem' thickens and could be interpreted as the widely splayed legs of a human figure. The rest of the upper part of the stone is unclear. There is an L-shaped area in relief which has a slightly raised border, and which is conceivably the head of a beast, possibly a calf. Below this is a diagonally-set image which might be read as that of a grotesque human figure, leaning on one elbow and with an over-sized head. A fish-like form lies just above it. The field below the raised band contains, at right, almost half of a human face, full on, with almond eyes below brow ridges and a sub-triangular nose. To its left is a small lizard-like beast with a tail that loops around it, possibly passing into its mouth. The inscription on the band is very worn but may possibly be transcribed as: [..][i]DR[o]. This might be a reference to St. Drostan, founder of the Celtic monastery at Deer in the 6th century AD, and may indicate that the cross-slab was one of the boundary stones of that monastery. The findspot is close to the mouth of the River Ugie, approximately 300 m southeast of Ravenscraig Castle (NK04NE0001).

FORSYTH, K., 2008, THE STONES OF DEER, P.417-26 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2499.

Aug 15 2003 , DSCN0252 - 267, DSCN0252 - 267 (Ground Photograph). SAB17991.

Record last edited

May 2 2023 11:42AM