Pictish stone to be unceremoniously uprooted to museum Aberdeenshire

Submitted by Marion on Friday, 08 November 2002 Page Views: 1250

Country: Scotland County: Aberdeenshire
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Aberdeenshire 8th C Pictish early-Christian cross Kirkton of Bourtie in Aberdeenshire has long been recognized within the sacred network as a place of great power dating back to prehistoric times.

Its 5000-year old recumbent stone circle is the second largest in tonnage and the largest in diameter of any circle in mainland Scotland - a measure of its antiquity (recumbent circles get smaller over the millennia). It is no accident that early Pictish pre-Christian and Christian carved stones appear nearby, a Class I incised crescent/V-rod, double-disc/Z-rod, mirror & comb arguably dating to the 6thC embedded in the little kirk which now symbolises the sacred centre, NJ 805 248. The kirkyard wall has a simple ('Class IV') incised cross built into its S perimeter (I.Henderson 'Cross stones with no other ornament' in Small, A. Picts: a new look at old Problems 1987).

In 2001 another cross, slightly more elaborate with round terminals, was found embedded in the E steading wall of adjacent Kirkton of Bourtie farm, NJ 804 248. In 2002 Kirkton of Bourtie farm has applied for planning permission to convert the steading into three houses.

Historic Scotland, as 'custodian' for the Scots, establishes policy over the built environment, scheduling ancient structures (K of B circle is 'scheduled') and listing others (the Kirk is grade A listed, kirkyard grade B listed); but the farm is not listed and the new cross has not been scheduled. In a letter responding to FOGS' concern, HS indicates that is has 'decided' (no local consultation, and, technically - as the cross is not scheduled, it is not HS's concern) to have it removed to 'be deposited with the most local museum' (their words).

This is a matter of great concern.

Historically, FOGS has had sporadic dialogue with HS over damage to antiquities in NE Scotland. Where no scheduling is in place, HS has without fail looked the other way. Only after several months of lobbying MSPs did FOGS succeed in having an all-quartz recumbent circle scheduled, but it took a prominent parliamentarian to make the point. One wonders what the precedent is in this peremptory action and how best to approach a delicate situation, where undoubtedly if FOGS is seen to be over-protective, the stone will be removed in a 'midnight flit' à la Dupplin cross, and our purpose in conserving a sacred stone in situ will have been defeated.

Any and all help appreciated from within the sacred sites network; suggestions please to:
[email protected]

Marian Youngblood
Friends of Grampian Stones

Contributor Bio for Marion: Based in Bolton, contributing since 2014. Favourite site: Standi stones Orkney. Occupation: Teacher.

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