Scheduled Monument

Picardy Stone, symbol stoneSM90239

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
30/11/1923
Last Date Amended
03/03/1999
Supplementary Information Updated
25/07/2018
Type
Crosses and carved stones: symbol stone
Local Authority
Aberdeenshire
Parish
Insch
NGR
NJ 60994 30260
Coordinates
360994, 830260

Description

The monument comprises a Class I Pictish symbol stone. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument stands in arable farmland, at around 180m OD. It comprises a rough slab of whinstone measuring about 2m high, about 0.5m thick, and measures some 0.9m wide at base, tapering to about 0.6m wide at the top. The S face of the slab is incised with three Pictish symbols: at the top of the slab, a double-disc and Z-rod; below this, a tightly coiled serpent and Z-rod; and below the serpent and Z-rod, a simple mirror.

Excavations around the stone in 1856 showed that it stood on a low cairn, 1.9m in diameter, beneath which was an extended grave. This is classified as an early Pictish symbol stone, as it bears none of the symbols of Christianity found on supposedly later Pictish symbol stones.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the stone and an area around it within which related material may be expected to be found. It is circular with a diameter of 20m, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its contribution to our understanding of Pictish art and monumental sculpture and because of the potential of associated below-ground remains for shedding further light on the connection between such Class I symbol stones and burials. The importance of the site is reflected in its status as a property in care.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 63 SW 3.

References:

Bibliography:

Allen, J. R. and Anderson, J. (1903) The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, vol. III, 167-8, Edinburgh.

Cross, M. (1994) Bibliography of Monuments in the Care of the Secretary of State for Scotland, 475, Glasgow.

Shepherd, I. (1986) Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Grampian, 128, Edinburgh.

Historic Environment Scotland Properties

Picardy Symbol Stone

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/picardy-symbol-stone

Find out more

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.

Images

There are no images available for this record, you may want to check Canmore for images relating to Picardy Stone, symbol stone

There are no images available for this record.

Search Canmore

Printed: 29/03/2024 01:50