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Dunblane, Kirk Street, Dunblane Cathedral

Carved Stone(S) (Period Unassigned), Cross (Period Unassigned), Monastery (Period Unassigned)(Possible)

Site Name Dunblane, Kirk Street, Dunblane Cathedral

Classification Carved Stone(S) (Period Unassigned), Cross (Period Unassigned), Monastery (Period Unassigned)(Possible)

Canmore ID 24673

Site Number NN70SE 15.01

NGR NN 7817 0139

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/24673

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council Stirling
  • Parish Dunblane And Lecropt
  • Former Region Central
  • Former District Stirling
  • Former County Perthshire

Early Medieval Carved Stones Project (11 May 2016)

Dunblane 1 (St Blane), Perthshire, cross-slab

Measurements: H 1.88m, W 0.81m, D 0.20m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NN 7817 0139

Present location: in Dunblane Cathedral.

Evidence for discovery: found during restoration works in 1871 under the Lady Chapel.

Present condition: worn.

Description

This slab is carved in relief on both broad faces. Face A bears a ringed cross with rectangular terminals and sunken circular armpits, which is bordered by a roll moulding that turns into hanging spirals at the top of the upper arm and into upturned zoomorphic heads above the base of the shaft. The base itself extends into spirals on either side. The ring of the cross is carved with single spirals, but the interior of the cross is plain. The ornament on face C is arranged in five registers: at the top there are two seated confronting quadrupeds and a large spiral in the top right corner of the slab; below is a panel containing five bosses and a short panel of square key pattern; below again is a depiction of a ringed free-standing cross and a possible anvil symbol on either side of a mounted horserider carrying a spear and accompanied by a hunting dog; below this is an encircled cross and a random key pattern; and at the foot of the slab is a prone human figure holding a club and a large spiral.

Date: ninth or tenth century.

References: ECMS pt 3, 315-17.

Compiled by A Ritchie 2016

Early Medieval Carved Stones Project (11 May 2016)

Dunblane 2 (St Blane), Perthshire, cross-slab fragment

Measurements: H 0.84m, W 0.51m, D 0.20m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NN 7817 0139

Present location: in Dunblane Cathedral.

Evidence for discovery: found during restoration works in 1871 under the Lady Chapel.

Present condition: broken and worn.

Description

This slab may be part of a defaced cross-slab, on which the carving survives only on one narrow face. The latter consists of traces of three areas of pattern: interlace, diagonal key pattern and zoomorphic interlace.

Date: ninth or tenth century.

References: ECMS pt 3, 315-17.

Compiled by A Ritchie 2016

Archaeology Notes

NN70SE 15.01 7817 0139.

There was an early Celtic foundation at Dunblane.

D E Easson 1957.

St Blane founded a Celtic monastery at Dunblane in the 7th Century.

J H Cockburn 1936.

Two sculptured stones bearing Celtic ornament were found during the restoration of the Cathedral (Perth 125SE 2) and are now preserved there. J R Allen and J Anderson 1901.

A celtic cross was found in the west end of the chapter house of the Cathedral about two feet below the original floor and partly under the foundation, during alterations in 1873.

A B Barty 1944.

NN 7817 0139. The sculptured stones and Celtic Cross were found, when digging for the boiler house under the Lady Chapel.

This is the reputed site of the Celtic Monastery. (Information from Mr Owens, Church Officer, Custodian, Dunblane Cathedral).

The cross and stones are preserved in the Cathedral.

Visited by OS(RDL) 10 January 1964.

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