Scheduled Monument

Brandsbutt Stone, symbol stoneSM90039

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
31/12/1924
Last Date Amended
03/03/1999
Supplementary Information Updated
25/07/2018
Type
Crosses and carved stones: inscribed stone; symbol stone
Local Authority
Aberdeenshire
Parish
Inverurie
NGR
NJ 75993 22403
Coordinates
375993, 822403

Description

The monument to be scheduled comprises the Brandsbutt Symbol Stone, which lies in the western outskirts of Inverurie, some 65m SW of the former steading of Brandsbutt. It was scheduled in 1924 and taken into guardianship in 1948. The scheduled area, however, was never defined. The present rescheduling rectifies this shortcoming.

The stone is a Class I symbol stone of dark whinstone, triangular in shape and measuring 1.07m high, 1.27m wide and 0.91m thick. It seems that it may originally have formed part of a stone circle, two other stones of which are built into the field dyke some 7m and 11m E of it respectively. The stone was at one time broken up and itself built into the field dyke. However, in 1950, after being taken into state care, the dyke was removed from around it and the pieces were reassembled.

The inscribed face of the stone shows to the right the serpent and Z-rod and crescent and V-rod symbols and on the left an ogham inscription, interpreted as reading: IRATADDOARENS.

The area to be scheduled is roughly trapezoidal, measuring some 8.7m along its N boundary, 10.8m on the SE, 7.9m on the W and 2m on the NW. This area is indicated, as accurately as map scale allows, in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it represents an unusual example of a Pictish symbol stone bearing a unique ogham inscription. It contributes to our understanding of art, literacy, culture, society and the reuse of prehistoric monuments in the second half of the first millennium AD. Its importance is signalled by its status as a Property in State Care.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 72 SE 12.

Bibliography:

Cross, M. (1994) Bibliography of Monuments in the Care of the Secretary of State for Scotland, 74-5, Glasgow.

Historic Environment Scotland Properties

Brandsbutt Stone

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/brandsbutt-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.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 06:00