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<< Our Photo Pages >> National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) - Ancient Cross in Scotland in Midlothian

Submitted by Anne T on Wednesday, 23 May 2018  Page Views: 3977

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
Country: Scotland
NOTE: This site is 0.124 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Midlothian Type: Ancient Cross
Nearest Town: Edinburgh
Map Ref: NT2583273324
Latitude: 55.947207N  Longitude: 3.189158W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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Anne T visited on 17th May 2018 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Early Christian Stones at the National Museum of Scotland: We returned to go to the Research Library to find out more about the Pictish Stones, and to photograph some more exhibits, only to find Tim Peake's Spacecraft had arrived that morning, with a PR exercise in full swing and the gallery we needed to get to had been closed off until 2pm (didn't say anything about this on the web site, until we dug deeper into the events schedule). Fortunately, by the time we'd been and looked at some casts of grave slabs in part of the Kingdom of the Scots exhibit, the gallery we wanted to go to was temporarily re-opened and we managed to get in and out in between the various waves of visitors and school children. The space craft was minute, and like a cross between something out of Dr. Who and The Clangers. Apparently, Tim Peake had attended earlier that morning, but we'd missed him. I spent an hour in the research library, coming away with some photocopies and the names/details of a number of reference books. We also managed to go into the 'Early People's Exhibit' which had been closed during our last visit - more Pictish Symbol stones and Early Christian stones, which more than made up for the disappointment of having arrived at 10.30am and being told we'd have to wait until 2pm to get in because of Tim Peake!

HChavez visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

schwagmyre have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.5 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 5

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This Whithorn Style Cross Shaft is on display in the 'Early People's Exhibition on Level -1. It comes from Craiglemine, Glasserton, Wigtownshire near Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway. Submitted with the kind consent of National Museums of Scotland. Exhibit X.IB 122. Dates from 900-100 AD. (Vote or comment on this photo)
The National Museum of Scotland has a superb collection of early Christian crosses and engraved stones. These can be found in the basement (level -1) in the 'Early People' exhibition, before you get to the entrance to the Tower (which displays Pictish stones), and in the tunnel leading into the Tower.

To find this display, enter the museum through either of the Chambers Street entrances and take the lift or stairs to Level -1.

There are more stones to be found in 'The Kingdom of the Scots' exhibition on Level 1 of the museum. Staff at the museum are really helpful, so don't be afraid to ask.

For members and visitors who are particularly interested in Early Christian stones and Ancient Crosses, these photographs are split off into this separate page to make them easier to access.

For more information about the museum see the National Museum of Scotland website; to find out more information about their individual exhibits, use their 'search our collections' feature.

Photographs as credited by kind permission of National Museums Scotland. Not to be reproduced without the permission of NMS.
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National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This is an Anglo Saxon cross shaft fragment from Morham Kirk, East Lothian, dating to the 9th century. The crispness of the carving is wonderful. Exhibit X.2010.15, it was found at NT 55658 72597, after it had been reused in the south wall of the 18th century church. This photo shows faces B and D, the narrow side B having beautiful vine scrolls, and D (left) having knotwork and interlaced design... (Vote or comment on this photo)

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This is Face A of an Anglo Saxon cross shaft fragment from Morham Kirk, East Lothian, dating to the 9th century. This face shows four surviving scrolls which include birds and animals. The crispness of the carving is wonderful. Exhibit X.2010.15, it was found at NT 55658 72597, after it had been reused in the south wall of the 18th century church. Submitted with the kind permission of National M... (Vote or comment on this photo)

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This sculptured sandstone fragment is from Rosemarkie in Caithness and shows Daniel with his head in the lion's mouth. Exhibit X.IB 127. I haven't (yet) been able to find a Canmore entry for this. Submitted with kind permission of National Museums Scotland. (Vote or comment on this photo)

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 102, Canmore 9767, from St. Mary's Chapel, Kilbarr (Cille Bharra). Dates to the 10th/11th century. Runic inscription reads: "This cross was raised in memory of Thorgerth, daughter of Steinar". Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland. (Vote or comment on this photo)

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 191, Canmore 260076. A rune inscribed stone found at the ruined church at Brough of Birsay. The inscription reads: FILIBUSRANRU (Philippus runes (?)). Described by the museum as 'graffiti'. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museums of Scotland. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Hidden high up on the wall in shadow, this is exhibit X.IB 211, a sandstone block carved with irregular twig runes on its edge. I had to play with the lighting and contrast on this image to see any markings on the stone at all. Recorded as Canmore 2111, found reused in a field wall on Brodgar Farm around 1927. Date uncertain. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotlan...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 103, Canmore 938, found in the churchyard wall at Mail cemetery, Cunningsburgh, Shetland. This is a rune-inscribed fragment, which translated reads: 'for his/her father Thornjorn'. Dates to the early 11th century. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 286 from Tarbat. Canmore 15639. Dates to the late eighth century. The Latin inscription reads: In the name of Jesus Christ, the cross of Christ, in commemoration of ?Reotetius ...' The fragment is described as being part of a very substantial monument, with the inscription being in Hiberno-Saxon capitals. This stone is also carved on its reverse side. Submitted with the kind perm...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : The museum had a display of three stones together - one with a Latin (used by the Church); one with ogham (representing the Celtic languages); one with runes (representing the Germanic languages of the Anglo Saxons and Vikings). It was fascinating to see all three side-by-side. Exhibit X.HPO 470, Canmore 39479, with ogham inscription. Dates to 500-900 AD from Poltalloch, Kilmartin. Displayed beh...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : The museum had a display of three stones together - one with a Latin (used by the Church); one with ogham (representing the Celtic languages); one with runes (representing the Germanic languages of the Anglo Saxons and Vikings). It was fascinating to see all three side-by-side. Exhibit X.IB 93, Canmore 301943, from Inchmarnock, with runes. Dates from 1000-1200AD. Displayed behind glass. Submitted...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : The museum had a display of three stones together - one with a Latin (used by the Church); one with ogham (representing the Celtic languages); one with runes (representing the Germanic languages of the Anglo Saxons and Vikings). It was fascinating to see all three side-by-side. I think this is exhibit X.IB 143 (unable to find on NMS on-line search) with Latin inscription. Displayed behind glass....

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : X.IB 113, Canmore 1190. Lunnasting, Shetland. Close up of the Ogham inscription and the small, incised cross. Barely visible, especially in the dark corner these stones were displayed in, but interesting none-the-less. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This is exhibit X.IB 113, Canmore 1190, from Lunnasting, Shetland. Dating to the 8th or 9th century, it has an Ogham inscription running vertically down its centre, and an inscribed cross. Found in a peat bog in 1876 at NY c 46 45. The ogham includes the name 'Nechton', and Canmore says the cross is upside down in relation to the inscription so may have been added later. Submitted with the kin...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.GB.1 from Burrian, North Ronalsday, Orkney. Canmore 25934. The museum sign says this stone slab is incised on one face with a cross, ogham inscription and fragmentary fish symbol. Dates to the 7th/8th century. By playing around with the lighting on Photoshop when I got home, I finally managed to identify the Ogham (very faint, running vertically down the centre of the photo). Submitte...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.GB.1 from Burrian, North Ronalsday, Orkney. Canmore 25934. The museum sign says this stone slab is incised on one face with a cross, ogham inscription and fragmentary fish symbol. Dates to the 7th/8th century. If you look very, very carefully, there are some faint inscribed lines. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.GB.1 from Burrian, North Ronalsday, Orkney. Canmore 25934. The museum sign says this stone slab is incised on one face with a cross, ogham inscription and fragmentary fish symbol. Dates to the 7th/8th century. This stone was displayed in a dark corner, and it wasn't until I got home and enlarged the photo that I could see anything. Submitted with the kind permission of the National M...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 109, inscribed on its two narrow sides with Ogham, which reads: "the cross of Nadd Oddr’s daughter aNN [in memory of her husband] Benises son of Droan." Canmore 1279, find spot HU c 521 423. Dates to the 9th or 10th centuries. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This is exhibit X.IB 109, a cross slab showing monks and animals, and carved on both sides. Found during the 19th century at St. Mary's, Bessay, Culbinsburgh, Shetland, HU c. 521 423, it dates to the 10th or 11th century. Canmore 1279. It has Ogham inscribed on both its narrow sides, only one of which was visible (without climbing over the other exhibits), which reads: "the cross of Nadd Oddr’...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This cross slab fragment is the second part of Exhibit X.IB 280 A, B and C, of which there were only two of the three fragments on display at the time of our visit. From Tarbat, the discovery grid reference was NH 9140 8402. Also recorded as Canmore 15637, these fragments were part of a lot of six donated to the museum in 1958. The cross was allegedly broken up by a grave digger. Submitted wit...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This cross slab fragment is one of three, part of Exhibit X.IB 280 A, B and C, of which there were only two of the three fragments on display at the time of our visit. From Tarbat, the discovery grid reference was NH 9140 8402. Also recorded as Canmore 15637, these fragments were part of a lot of six donated to the museum in 1958. The cross was allegedly broken up by a grave digger. Submitted ...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This fragment from a large cross slab shows a wreath enclosing seven bosses. The wreath is decorated with interlace and key pattern. Exhibit X.IB 283, Canmore 15662, Tarbat 5 (TR 5). Find spot Tarbat, NH 9149 8402. Dates to the eighth century. Canmore says "the fragment has been trimmed close to the ring as if for reuse". Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This fragment from a large cross slab shows three smaller crosses in relief. Exhibit X.IB 250, Canmore 15662, Tarbat 13 (TR 13). Find spot Tarbat, NH 9149 8402. Dates to the eighth century. Canmore says it has been suggested that this thin slab might have been part of a chancel screen or shrine. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : This fragment from a large cross slab shows trumpet scrolls on this side (with interlacing on the other side, according to the museum information). Exhibit X.IB 285, Canmore 15662. Also known as Tarbat 9 (TR 9). Find spot Tarbat, NH 9149 8402. Dates to the eighth century. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 281, dating from the 8th or 9th century. Canmore 15662, Tarbat 2 (TR 2). The smallest of four cross slab fragments found buried in the churchyard at Portmahomack, Tarbat (NH 9149 8402) before the end of the 19th century; taken to Invergorden Castle before being donated to the museum. This is probably part of the right hand edge of the slab and includes a small boss. Submitted with t...

National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)
National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) submitted by Anne T : Exhibit X.IB 209, cross slab fragment, dating from the 8th century. Canmore 15662, Tarbat 12 (TR 12). Found buried in the churchyard at Portmahomack, Tarbat (NH 9149 8402) before the end of the 19th century. This fragment has edge moulding; features a cockerel and the rear portion of a fox over an interlaced panel. Submitted with the kind permission of the National Museum of Scotland.

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"National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones)" | Login/Create an Account | 1 comment
  
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Re: National Museum of Scotland (Early Christian Stones) by Anne T on Wednesday, 23 May 2018
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We returned to the museum recently, and I've some more photos to add to this page over the next week or so, as I tie up my photos with the Museum's On-line collection information and Canmore records. [We also saw Tim Peake's Spacecraft - we just missed seeing the man himself - the craft was minute, although I confess it was like a cross between something from Dr. Who and The Clangers. Fascinating, though!] Much enjoyed our latest trip to the museum particularly. They have some fascinating Early Christian and Pictish stones, and a trip to their Research Library greatly added to my knowledge.
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