Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric standing stone, with commanding views in all directions, located midway between the farms of West and East Pitcorthie, at a height of around 61m OD. Monuments of this type normally date to about 2000 to 1500 BC.

The standing stone is a roughly rectangular, massive block of red sandstone, set almost vertically into the ground, and sited on a small mound. The stone stands c.2.15m high and is c.1.25m wide. The ill-defined mound upon which the stone stands measures some 6m by 4m. The N and S faces are badly weathered and the W face is much obscured by lichen. On both E and W faces there are a number of hollows, probably due to weathering.

Around the base of the stone there are several large tabular stones, apparently turned up by the plough.

The area to be scheduled includes the standing stone and an area around it within which related remains may be expected to survive. It is circular in shape, with a diameter of 20m, centred on the stone, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it has the potential to enhance our understanding of prehistoric ritual practices and monuments in the landscape.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 50 NE 4.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1933) Inventory of the Monuments of Fife, Kinross and Clackmannan. Edinburgh: Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, No. 332, 169.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland