Alternative Names Glamis No. 2
Site Type CROSS SLAB (PICTISH), PICTISH SYMBOL STONE (PICTISH)
Canmore ID 32067
Site Number NO34NE 2
NGR NO 3858 4686
Council ANGUS
Parish GLAMIS
Former Region TAYSIDE
Former District ANGUS
Former County ANGUS
Datum OSGB36 - NGR

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Treasured Places - HLF funded

This impressive Pictish cross-slab, probably dating to the 8th century, stands in the garden of the former manse at Glamis (also known as Glamis No.2). On one side it bears an elaborately decorated cross, flanked by four panels with characteristic Pictish carvings, including mythical beasts, a deer and triple disc symbols, and two men fighting with axes set below a cauldron from which two human legs project. On the other side of the stone there is a snake, a fish (probably a salmon) and a mirror.

Information from RCAHMS (SC) 26 July 2007
Carver, M 2005

An image of this site has been nominated as one of Scotland's favourite archive images. For more information about the project visit http://www.treasuredplaces.org.uk

Notes and Activities

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Archaeological Notes

NO34NE 2 3858 4686.

(NO 3858 4686) Stone (NAT)
OS 6" map, (1959)

This nearly 9' high cross-slab stands in the grounds of the manse. Early writers, Gordon, Pennant and Knox describe it as being in the churchyard, but it is possible that the churchyard once extended into the manse garden. The slab may have been moved, however, a number of holes at its base possibly indicating some sort of levering instruments being fitted to it. (J Stirton 1913) Traditionally, it was erected to commemorate the assassination of King Malcolm. (L M Angus-Butterworth 1967)
One side is incised with a serpent, a fish, and a mirror symbol, while the other bears an elaborate cross, the side panels beyond it containing a centaur, a dog- like beast, a pair of men fighting with axes, a doe's head, a cauldron (from which a pair of legs protrude) supported on a bar by two ring-handles, and a triple disc symbol. The stone was orginally Class I and re-used in the Class II period. (I Henderson 1960)
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; J Stirton 1913; I Henderson 1960; R W Feachem 1963; L M Angus-Butterworth 1967; RCAHMS 1983

16 December 1969

FIELD VISIT

Notes This cross slab is as described and illustrated.
Visited by OS (W D J) 16 December 1969.


Further details

1986	FIELD VISIT

Further details

1997

REFERENCE

Notes Class II symbol stone - Glamis 2 - On the face is a cross with two figures fighting beside which is a cauldron in which there appears to be a figure. Below is a deer's head over a triple disc. On the reverse are a vertical arrangement of a serpent over a salmon and a mirror.
A Mack 1997.

Further details

12 February 2001

PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY

Project Listed Buildings Recording Programme 2001

Further details

20 February 2002

PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY

Further details

July 2003

MEASURED SURVEY

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, 221-3 illust. Held at RCAHMS G.1.11.ALL

Angus-Butterworth, L M (1967) 'Ancient Pictish monuments in Angus and Perthshire', Trans Ancient Monuments Soc, New, vol.14
Page(s): 54-6

Carver, M (2005) Surviving in symbols: a visit to the Pictish nation, Edinburgh
Held at RCAHMS E.2.MAK

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