Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Kebbuck Stone, Cross Slab

A Scheduled Monument in Culloden and Ardersier, Highland

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

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.

Coordinates

Latitude: 57.5748 / 57°34'29"N

Longitude: -3.9649 / 3°57'53"W

OS Eastings: 282585

OS Northings: 855563

OS Grid: NH825555

Mapcode National: GBR J8LP.SLN

Mapcode Global: WH4G1.2V6Y

Entry Name: Kebbuck Stone, Cross Slab

Scheduled Date: 29 March 2001

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM9433

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Crosses and carved stones: cross slab

Location: Nairn

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Culloden and Ardersier

Traditional County: Nairnshire

Description

The monument, known as the Kebbuck Stone or the Wester Delnies Stone, comprises the remains of a much eroded early Christian carved cross slab.

The Kebbuck Stone is an upright cross-slab of grey sandstone, rectangular, measuring 1.8m by 1.1m by 0.5m. It was reportedly sculptured in relief on one face with a cross with semicircular hollows between the arms and a circle in the centre. However, the stone is so weathered and lichen-covered that it is extremely difficult to make out any carvings.

The whole of the back, which was probably once sculptured, is defaced by deeply scored hollows and a later incised circle. Allen and Anderson classed the stone as a Class III Pictish Symbol Stone. However they compare it to the class II cross-slabs at Nigg, Shandwick and Hilton of Cadboll, on the N side of the Moray Firth.

In 1896 what is described as a 'stone lined grave' orientated E-W was found in close vicinity to the stone. There are no indications that the stone is not in it original location.

The area to be scheduled is a circle of 5m diameter, centred on the cross slab to include the cross and an area around within which related material may be expected to be found, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of the information that it provides and has the potential to provide, concerning the art, religion, and burial customs of the inhabitants of the region during the early Christian period. Its importance is enhanced by the survival of other cross slabs in the region and by the possibility that it remains in situ.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NH 85 NW 27.

Bibliography:

Allen, J. R. and Anderson, 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, pt. 2, 51: pt. 3, 117-18.

RCAHMS (1978) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Nairn District, Highland Region, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series no. 5, Edinburgh, 17, No. 121.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.