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

  SM1225_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003989)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of three symbol stones which have been moved from their original locations and are now built into the corner of the wall of the churchyard at Pulvrennan. They were removed from their earlier locations elsewhere in the graveyard in 1820, but even these may not have been their original sites. Two of the stones are Pictish and the third has Norse runes on it, of 9th or 10th century.

Stone 1 is an irregular quadrangular gneiss slab 1.45m x 0.56m. It is incised with the 'marigold' (a circle with a smaller concentric circle in the centre, the intermediate space being ornamented with radial lines) and below two crescents and V-rods.

Stone 2 is a slab of diorite forming an irregular rectangle, 1.91m x 0.46m and is incised with lines on one face. A serpent is carved at the top of the slab and below it the mirror symbol with a double disc handle, but without the comb symbol which commonly accompanies the mirror.

Stone 3. A symbol stone with Norse runes. It measures 1.31m x 0.57m. The runic inscriptions are now very worn.

The area to be scheduled includes the stones themselves, the wall into which they are built, from the foundations to the cope and the length enclosed between the two gate piers, 3m. It is indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Knockando symbol stones are of national importance because they represent a rare survival of Pictish art. They have the potential to provide evidence of the artistic and cultural life of their creators. The Norse runic stone, although worn, may be decipherable and could provide information about the date and extent of Norse penetration into north-central 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.