This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.
We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?
If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.
Latitude: 55.9345 / 55°56'4"N
Longitude: -3.6528 / 3°39'10"W
OS Eastings: 296841
OS Northings: 672503
OS Grid: NS968725
Mapcode National: GBR 1Q.Z1BK
Mapcode Global: WH5RF.V3QC
Entry Name: Torphichen Preceptory, refuge stone at Torphichen Kirk
Scheduled Date: 30 November 1981
Last Amended: 22 February 2005
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM1903
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Crosses and carved stones: refuge stone
Location: Torphichen
County: West Lothian
Electoral Ward: Armadale and Blackridge
Traditional County: West Lothian
The monument is a square sandstone pillar standing within Torphichen churchyard. It is one of the five refuge stones marking the centre and boundary or 'girth' of the sanctuary associated with Torphichen Preceptory, founded by the Knights Hospitallers or Knights of St. John in the 12th century. The monument was first scheduled in 1935, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present rescheduling rectifies this.
The stone measures about 0.8m high by 0.3m by 0.3m. There are 5 cup marks and a 17cm channel on the E face; on the top is a circular socket 5cm in diameter and 3cm deep, connected with a cross-shaped channel, 16cm over the arms. The latter features probably have no connections with the cup marks. The stone marks the centre of the sanctuary area and is located in the churchyard adjacent to Torphichen Preceptory.
The area to be scheduled consists of the stone itself and an area of ground around it measuring 2m in diameter, situated in the location indicated in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance because it marks the centre point of the sanctuary which included and surrounded Torphichen Preceptory. This was the only house of the Knights Hospitallers or Knights of St. John founded in Scotland and as such holds an important place in their history and also in the history of the surrounding area.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NS97SE25.
References:
Groome F H (ed.) (1901) ORDNANCE GAZETTEER OF SCOTLAND, Edinburgh, Vol. 5, 1573.
Morris R W B (1969) 'The cup-and-ring marks and similar sculptures in Scotland: a survey of the southern Counties, part II', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 100, 72, No. 189.
RCAHMS (1929) TENTH REPORT WITH INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTIES OF MIDLOTHIAN AND WEST LOTHIAN, Edinburgh, 241, No. 391.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Other nearby scheduled monuments