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Harperstone

Stone (Period Unassigned), Coin(S), Vessel(S)

Site Name Harperstone

Classification Stone (Period Unassigned), Coin(S), Vessel(S)

Canmore ID 25278

Site Number NN80SW 6

NGR NN 8434 0474

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/25278

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Perth And Kinross
  • Parish Ardoch
  • Former Region Tayside
  • Former District Perth And Kinross
  • Former County Perthshire

Archaeology Notes

NN80SW 6 8434 0474.

Hutchison (1890) notes 'the Harperstone' (9ft by 6ft by 3ft) a few hundred yards NE of Harperstone Farm, with traces of a stone circle (15 yards diameter and particularly visible on north and west) surrounding it. He equates this (Hutchison 1893) with a 'circle of stones ... on the back summit of Black Hill and about 2 miles south of the Sheriffmuir Road' mentioned in 1830 (Information from the Stirling Journal, 5 May 1830) where it was said 3 clay vessels containing gold coins were dug up in the middle of the 18th century; inscribed stones found c.1715; and 'Pictish armour ... in crypts' found "previously". A stone circle 'in the heights of Sheriffmuir' is also mentioned by the OSA (1792) (see NN80SW 4).

It seems reasonable to suppose that all three references are to the same feature. Hutchison's description would put it at c. NN 845 046, but the mention of Black Hill (SSW of Harperstone) suggests that he may have written 'NE' for 'SW' (or alternatively, that he meant Lairhill, NN 833 027, instead of Harperstone, or that this was once Harperstone).

A F Hutchison 1890; 1893.

Local enquiries failed to find any information or knowledge of the "Harperstone". A perambulation of the area to the north and east of Harperstone located a large natural boulder on the right bank of the Millstone Burn, at NN 8434 0474. This rough, ill-shaped stone measures 3.3m long by 2.0m wide by 1.0m high. It thus agrees with Hutchison's description of the 'Harperstone' on three counts: (1) size (2) direction and (3) distance from Harperstone farm. However, further information is required before it can definitely be identified as the stone. No trace of a stone circle was noticed in the vicinity or in the Black Hill locality. No information was found regarding the various finds mentioned by Hutchison.

Visited by OS (W D J) 8 June 1967.

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