Monument record MAB6714 - THE ELGIN PILLAR
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Summary
Class II Pictish Symbol stone/cross-slab.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 90142: Elgin Cathedral
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 2219 6305 (40m by 40m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ26SW |
| Authority | Moray |
| Civil Parish | Elgin |
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Class II Pictish Symbol stone/cross-slab. A very fine early Christian cross-slab with Pictish symbols on one face and a cross with interlaced pattern on the other, in granite. The stone was found in 1823 during repairs being carried out to Elgin High Street, within the former churchyard of St Giles (at NJ 2159 6285, NJ26SW0474). It lay horizontally, 0.6m below the ground surface, North East of the old church. It was subsequently relocated to the West end of Elgin Cathedral Quire, on its North side. The front of the stone is divided into two panels, the upper having a cross with small hollows between the arms covered with zoomorphic interlace. The cross is surrounded by half figures. The lower panel has gripping beasts. On the back of the slab, at the top, are the remains of a possible rectangle symbol, then a double disc and Z-rod and a crescent and V-rod decorated with spiral work. Below these is a hunting scene consisting of four horsemen, hounds, a stag and a standing hawk.
LOGAN, J, 1829, ARCHAEOLOGIA 22,55-58,198-202, 55-8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1060.
STUART, J, 1856, SCULPTURED STONES OF SCOTLAND, 8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1800.
ALLEN, JR, 1903, EARLY CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND 3, 135-7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3.
CHILDE & SIMPSON, VG&WD, 1962, ANCIENT MONS OF SCOT. 4ED., 104 (Bibliographic reference). SAB225.
FRASER, I, 2008, THE PICTISH SYMBOL STONES OF SCOTLAND, pp.108-109 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2523.
Jan 1 1989 , AAS/GR/89/CT469, AAS/GR/89/CT469 (Ground Photograph). SAB32773.
Sep 1 1985 , FC 4-6, FC 4-6 (Ground Photograph). SAB30543.
Sep 14 1989 , JI 13-16, JI 13-16 (Ground Photograph). SAB30649.
Sep 21 2007 , DG1650, 1668, DG1650, 1668 (Ground Photograph). SAB32047.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: MOR;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 90142;
- NMR Card Number: NJ26SW2;
- NRHE Numlink: 16627;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ26SW0002;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM90142 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/16627 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (9)
- --- SAB1060 Bibliographic reference: LOGAN, J. 1829. ARCHAEOLOGIA 22,55-58,198-202. 55-8.
- --- SAB1800 Bibliographic reference: STUART, J. 1856. SCULPTURED STONES OF SCOTLAND. 8.
- --- SAB225 Bibliographic reference: CHILDE & SIMPSON, VG&WD. 1962. ANCIENT MONS OF SCOT. 4ED.. 104.
- --- SAB2523 Bibliographic reference: FRASER, I. 2008. THE PICTISH SYMBOL STONES OF SCOTLAND. pp.108-109.
- --- SAB3 Bibliographic reference: ALLEN, JR. 1903. EARLY CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND 3. Y. 135-7.
- --- SAB30543 Ground Photograph: Sep 1 1985 . FC 4-6. Black & White. FC 4-6.
- --- SAB30649 Ground Photograph: Sep 14 1989 . JI 13-16. Black & White. JI 13-16.
- --- SAB32047 Ground Photograph: Sep 21 2007 . DG1650, 1668. DG. DG1650, 1668.
- --- SAB32773 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1989 . AAS/GR/89/CT469. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/89/CT469.
Finds (2)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Apr 9 2026 11:17AM
