Scheduled Monument

Eassie Old Church and cross slabSM90125

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
01/11/1921
Last Date Amended
17/10/2002
Supplementary Information Updated
20/06/2018
Type
Crosses and carved stones: cross slab, Ecclesiastical: church
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Eassie And Nevay
NGR
NO 35252 47453
Coordinates
335252, 747453

Description

The monuments comprise the remains of a cross slab of Pictish date and Eassie Old Church. The cross slab is set within a modern protective shelter in the corner of the church and is in the care of the Scottish Ministers. The present rescheduling is to extend protection to cover the whole of the church.

The cross slab is a Class II symbol stone and comprises an upright sandstone slab measuring c.2m high by c.1m wide by c.0.25m thick. On its front face, carved in relief, is a cross with two angels, an unmounted figure bearing a spear and shield, a stag, a hound and an unidentifiable beast. On the reverse in the top left corner is an elephant over a double-disc and Z-rod.

Below these are illustrations of figures and cattle, and to the right the remains of a horseshoe above an elephant. All are typical motifs of the Pictish, or Early Historic period. The cross slab was moved to its present position in modern times, having been found in the bed of a stream in the 18th century.

Eassie Church is rectangular in plan, measuring c.17.2 by 4.7m. The northern and southern walls stand to a height of about 2m and the gables are complete. The walls are c.0.8m thick. The church was dedicated in 1246 by Bishop David of St Andrews, and was granted to Newbattle Abbey in 1309. The church is thought to have been dedicated to the saints, Brandon and Fergus.

Although still essentially in its medieval form, the church was probably extensively remodelled in the 16th century. The W doorway appears to be an insertion of the 18th century, suggesting there was further remodelling at that time.

The parishes of Eassie and Nevay were united in 1600, and a new church erected in 1835 midway between the two churches. Eassie Church is a Category B Listed Building.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the church and cross slab and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. It is rectangular, measuring 20m ENE-WSW by 10m transversely, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a particularly fine example of a Pictish cross slab. Its importance is reflected in its status as a Property in Care of the Scottish Ministers.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 34 NE 4.

Historic Environment Scotland Properties

Eassie Cross Slab

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/eassie-sculptured-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: 28/03/2024 11:39