Scheduled Monument

Cross Incised Stone, Meall DoireSM9579

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
13/12/2000
Last Date Amended
31/05/2022
Type
Crosses and carved stones: cross-incised stone
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Kilmonivaig
NGR
NN 29052 81295
Coordinates
229052, 781295

Description

The monument consists of an angular boulder on which is a crudely incised cross. The boulder is traditionally said to be a Mass stone dating from the period when people of the Roman Catholic faith were subject to legal restrictions (1560-1829). It is believed to have been used as an altar in large open-air services. It is situated near the summit of Meall Doire overlooking Glen Roy to the south.  

The scheduled area is circular, measuring 10m in diameter and centred on the boulder. It includes the visible remains and an area around, in which associated evidence may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare material reminder of the Penal era of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. It demonstrates the survival, and the struggle for survival, of the Roman Catholic faith after the Reformation in certain parts of Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NN 28 SE 13.

Bibliography:

Historic Catholic Sites in the Highlands and the North East of Scotland ' Leaflet compiled for the Scottish Catholic Heritage Commission.

MacDonald, A. and MacFarlane, R. (1995) Cille Choirill. Roy Bridge.

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

Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire looking northwest on an overcast day

Printed: 04/06/2026 09:34