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.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM1678_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600015758)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a single Pictish cross slab, or symbol stone, dating to the 8th or 9th century AD. Formed of red sandstone, the stone measures around 2.3m high, 0.65m wide, and 0.2m thick, tapering slightly towards the top. There is an incised Celtic-style cross on the west face, and a Latin-style cross above a horseman in relief, with two further incised horsemen below, on the east face. The monument is located within the kirkyard of the former Edderton Free Church, at around 15m above sea level.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 2m in diameter and centred on the stone, to include the remains described above and an area around them to allow for the support and preservation of the monument, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, in particular Pictish society and Early Medieval Scotland. The monument is one of a large collection of Pictish symbol stones within Scotland, yet despite the number of these monuments, there remain many unanswered questions regarding their original form and function. The simple design style of this particular stone, along with the absence of any additional common Pictish symbols, differs from many of the other examples known, and the reasons for this differentiation is unclear. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to attempt to answer these questions, and our ability to appreciate and understand the Picts and their impact and influence in Early Medieval Scotland.

References

Bibliography

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.