Scheduled Monument

Pitmuies, cross slab 15m WSW of North LodgeSM153

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
17/06/1936
Last Date Amended
28/07/2015
Supplementary Information Updated
19/07/2016
Type
Crosses and carved stones: cross slab
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Kirkden
NGR
NO 56671 49976
Coordinates
356671, 749976

Description

The monument is the remains of a carved cross slab and is probably Pictish or early Christian in date (between AD 600 and 1000). It comprises an upstanding monolith of sandstone, measuring about 1.6m high by 0.8m wide, which is carved in relief on its E and W faces. The carvings are worn and obscured by lichen in places, but some details can be discerned. The lower portion of a cross-shaft is depicted on both faces, with scrolls and animal ornament visible towards the shaft base. Previous records suggest that additional carvings may survive. The cross slab has been moved from its original location around 60m to the NW. It is now situated in a private garden forming part of the grounds of the House of Pitmuies. The cross slab is set in a concrete foundation and iron rods on either side provide support to its lower part. The monument was first scheduled in 1936, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this. The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 5m in diameter, focused on the stone and its modern base, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the top 300mm of the gravelled area around the socket to allow for maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to knowledge of the past, particularly our understanding of early ecclesiastical sculpture and the development of Christianity. It has the potential to further our understanding of the techniques and iconography of early stone carvings, their functions and their role in contemporary religious practices. Although incomplete and no longer in its original location, this cross slab is important because its carvings are highly unusual. It is also of interest for its close proximity to a possible early Christian site, Guthrie Collegiate Church, with which it may originally have been associated, and its reported association with a long cist cemetery. Studied in its landscape context, the monument has the potential to contribute towards our understanding of the origins and development of Christianity in Angus, and the wider relationships between this Christian community and others in the area. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand ecclesiastical sculpture, stone carvings and the early Christian church, both in Angus and further afield.

References

Bibliography

Other Information

RCAHMS and the Angus Sites and Monuments Record both record the monument as NO54SE 4.

References

Borland, Fraser and Sherriff, J, I and J 2007, 'Eight socket stones from eastern Scotland', TAFAJ 13, 104-6, 108.

Chalmers, P 1848, The ancient sculptured monuments of the county of Angus, including those at Meigle in Perthshire and one at Fordoun in the Mearns, Edinburgh, 11.

Coutts, H 1970, Ancient monuments of Tayside, Dundee, 65-6.

Old Statistical Account 1791-9, The statistical account of Scotland, drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes, in Sinclair, J (Sir) Edinburgh, 2, 513.

RCAHMS 1978, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Lunan Valley, Montrose Basin, Angus District, Tayside Region, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series, 4, Edinburgh, 29, no 240.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 19/05/2024 03:00