Alternative Names Clach Biorach; Ardmore Lodge Hotel; Edderton Inn; Cariblair; Carriblair; Balblair
Site type PICTISH SYMBOL STONE (PICTISH), STANDING STONE
Canmore ID 14653
Site Number NH78NW 2
NGR NH 7082 8507
Council HIGHLAND
Parish EDDERTON
Former Region HIGHLAND
Former District ROSS AND CROMARTY
Former County ROSS AND CROMARTY

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Archaeological Notes

NH78NW 2 7082 8507

(NH 7083 8506) Clach Chairidh (NR) (Sculptured)
OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1907).

According to the Rev. Charles Cordiner the stone stood 'on a circular mount, artificially raised with steps of earth, at Cariblair in Ross-shire.'
C Cordiner 1788.

An unhewn pillar of red sandstone narrowing to a point at the top - whence the local name 'Clach Biorach' - 'the sharp stone'. Sculptured on one side only, it is 10ft 3ins high by 3ft 6ins wide and 1ft 6ins thick at the base (Allen and Anderson 1903).
There is a circle surrounding the stone at a radius of 3 yards, and 2ft above the surrounding plain. Supposed to mark the grave of a Danish prince killed in nearby battle.
New Statistical Account (NSA, written by D Gordon - 1840) 1845; J R Allen and J Anderson 1903.

This large symbol stone is as described by Allen and Anderson (1903).
It is oriented NW-SE but there is no trace of a circle round it. Gordon (NSA 1845) is probably confusing this site with NH78NW 1.
Visited by OS (W D J) 17 May 1963.

(NH 7083 8506) Clach Chairidh (NAT) Symbol Stone (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1973)

This symbol stone, standing in an arable field, is as described by the previous authorities. Its position is erroneous on the OS map; it stands at NH 7082 8507, some 15m to the N. It has not been moved.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (J B) 27 February 1973.

This Class I symbol stone bears the fish symbol over a double-disc and Z-rod.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903

Class I symbol stone bearing a salmon above a double-disc and Z-rod.
A Mack 1997.

Notes and Activities

2 November 2011

EXTERNAL REFERENCE

Notes Scheduled as 'Clach Chairidh, symbol stone... a standing stone, decorated with Pictish symbols, situated on a natural eminence in a pasture fielsd on the N edge of Edderton village. The stone stands within a small fenced enclosure approximately 135m SSW of the Ardmore Lodge Hotel (also known as the Edderon Inn). The standing stone itself was erected probably in the Neolithic or Bronze Age period... [and] was re-used probably some time between 500 AD and 700 AD when Pictish symbols were carved on it.'
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 2 November 2011.



Further details

Books and References

Allen and Anderson, J R and J (1903) The early Christian monuments of Scotland: a classified illustrated descriptive list of the monuments with an analysis of their symbolism and ornamentation, Edinburgh
Page(s): pt. 3, 57-9 Held at RCAHMS G.1.11.ALL

Close-Brooks, J (1995a) The Highlands, Exploring Scotland's Heritage series, ed. by Anna Ritchie Edinburgh
Page(s): (no. 72), 24, 126, 130, 154 Held at RCAHMS A.1.4.HER

Cordiner, C (1780) Antiquities and scenery of the north of Scotland, in a series of letters to Thomas Pennant, Esq. London
Page(s): 119 Held at RCAHMS D.20.COR.R

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