Scheduled Monument

Upper Corskie,stone circle and Pictish symbols 530m SE ofSM6075

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
10/10/1994
Supplementary Information Updated
16/07/2018
Type
Crosses and carved stones: symbol stone, Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art; stone circle or ring
Local Authority
Aberdeenshire
Parish
Cluny
NGR
NJ 74829 9597
Coordinates
374829, 809597

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a stone circle of the prehistoric period, probably of the Later Neolithic or Bronze Age, with later, Pictish symbols incised upon one stone. It stands on the slope to the N of the Corskie Burn.

Two unusually massive standing stones remain of the circle. Both are of granite and they stand about 3.0m apart and with their long axes aligned E-W.

The E stone stands 2.1m high, and measures 1.8m long and 0.6m wide. The W stone stands 3.0m high, and measures 1.5m long and 0.9m wide. The W stone has two cupmarks, one each on the S & W faces, which are probably contemporary with their erection as part of a stone circle. The W stone also has later Pictish symbols incised on its S face; a "mirror" and a "comb" to the right and a "mirror case" to the left. The symbols have been weathered and are only clearly seen in a strong side light.

The area to be scheduled is a circle 40m in diameter centred on the remains of the stone circle to include the stone circle as described above and an area around and between the two standing stones in which further remains associated with the construction and use of the stone circle may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of a stone circle, with unusually massive standing stones, one of which is cupmarked. It is of particular interest because Pictish symbols were incised upon it at a later date, and these are not often found in their original location. Although the stone circle is incomplete the monument has the potential to increase our knowledge of the ceremonial practice and social organisation of the prehistoric population, particularly as the stone circle is one of the group of broadly contemporary stone circles and other remains which survive in the vicinity and which are probably related.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 70 NW 2.

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 Upper Corskie,stone circle and Pictish symbols 530m SE of

There are no images available for this record.

Search Canmore

Printed: 02/05/2024 22:41