Find Spot record MHG3788 - Knocknagael Boar Stone

Summary

The former site of the Knocknagael Boar Stone.

Location

Grid reference Centred NH 6567 4134 (21m by 20m)
Map sheet NH64SE
Old County INVERNESS-SHIRE
Civil Parish INVERNESS AND BONA
Geographical Area INVERNESS

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Full description of Stone. Height 6' 9"; breadth 7' 2"; thickness 1' 1 1/2". Metric dimensions - 2m x 2.2m x 0.31m.
D Butler 1926; W Jolly 1882; J Stuart 1856; J R Allen and J Anderson 1903. <1>-<4>

Very full description in Inverness FC 1920 Vol IX, p154 onwards.<5>

Knocknagael Boar Stone: A roughly shaped slab. At the top is incised the mirror-case symbol and below the figure of a wild boar. The round part of the mirror case is ornamented with a circle and a central dot and the boar has spiral curves on the body. <6>

This large, upright, sculptured stone is as described above. A MoW. Plaque at the side describes this "The Knocknagael Boarstone" - 5th - 8th century AD. Pictish symbol stone. It is protected by a high wire fence.
Visited by OS (JLD) 22 March 1962.

Transferred in March 1991 to foyer of Highland Regional Council Chambers, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness (NH64SE 64).

Excavation was undertaken around stone prior to its removal to its new protected location (supra). Work was limited to small Guardianship area, and was further reduced by immense disturbance caused by fence foundations. Guardianship gravel overlay a layer of blackened cobbles which dipped below stone itself. Both were rich in glass and pottery fragments of recent date. And probably derived from local passtime of hurling bottles at stone from passing cars. Beneath this was natural gravel subsoil, and it was clear that stone was not on original site. 2 finds of interest, both unstratified. Were noted. These consisted of a small, unretouched and undiagnostic flint flake and a broken glass bead of recent date. Neither relate to stone.
Highland Regional Council 1994. <7>

Class I symbol stone bearing a boar surmounted by a mirror-case.
A.Mack 1997 p.111 <8>

See Photo of Boar Stone, circa 1960 at Knocknagael. Photo from Mr King. <9>

Included in a catalogue of the Pictish Symbol Stones at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, original version 1994, updated 2010. The stone is on display in Highland Council Headquarters. The stone is described as having an incised mirror case symbol ornamented with a circle and central dot to the top. Below is the figure of a wild boar, with decorative scrolling to represent the muscle structure. <10>

A watching brief took place in March 2010 during the excavation of a passing place being formed over this findspot. An area of cobbles was identified and photographed. <11>

Sources/Archives (68)

  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagael Boarstone, cobbles below gravel. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagael Boarstone, cobbles below gravel. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): PSS : Knocknagael (class 1). Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagael Boar Stone. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Gordon, C A. 1967. 'The Pictish animals observed', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 98 1964-6, p.215-24. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 215-24. 215-24.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 130, No. 66.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Feachem, R W. 1977. Guide to prehistoric Scotland. 2nd ed.. 197.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Jackson, A. 1984. The symbol stones of Scotland: a social anthropological resolution to the problem of the Picts. Table 2A.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Highland Council Archaeology Unit. HCAU Slide Collection Sheet 3. Colour slide. . Digital (scanned). 58-62.
  • --- Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1979. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of North-east Inverness, Inverness District, Highland Region. . 24, No. 184.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Ritchie, J N G. 1985. Pictish symbol stones: a handlist 1985.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Cobbles below gravel. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Concrete post base. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Concrete post base. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Stone Hole. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Packing stones removed. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Cobbles below gravel. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, concrete post base. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, concrete post base. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone,Stone hole+area 1/2 sectioned. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, packing stones removed. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, black layer. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, cobbles. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, W. end after prelim. clear. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, packing, W. end. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, Area/hole 1/2 sectioned. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, black layer below cobbles. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, base clear, strapping on. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, cobbles. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, W. end+ concrete base. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, slope below stone. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, packing stones, S. side. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, black layer below cobbles. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, preparing lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, preparing for lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, waiting for lift off. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, fingers crossed. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the road block. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the empty hole. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, positioning lorry. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, ready to lift stone. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, stone clear of ground. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, lowering onto sand bed. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the empty hole. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, preparing crane. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, ready to lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, stone clear of hole. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, stone lowered. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, the empty hole. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, preparing crane. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, final adjustments for lift. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, crane driver concentrates. Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Knocknagel Boarstone, prepares to lower. Digital Image. .
  • <1> Text/Publication/Monograph: Stuart, J. 1856. Sculptured stones of Scotland. 1. 13; pl. 38.
  • <2> Text/Publication/Article: Jolly, W. 1882. On cup-marked stones in the neighbourhood of Inverness; with an appendix on cup-marked stones in the Western Islands. Proc Soc Antiq Scot Volume 16. 300-401. 378-8.
  • <3> Text/Publication/Volume: Allen and Anderson, J R and J. 1903. The early Christian monuments of Scotland: a classified illustrated descriptive list of the monuments with an analysis of their symbolism and ornamentation. 103-5; fig. 108.
  • <4> Text/Publication/Article: Butler, D. 1926. ''Boar's Stone'', Trans Inverness Sci Soc Fld Club Vol. 9 1918-25, p.154-69. Trans Inverness Sci Soc Fld Club. 154-69. 154-69.
  • <5> Text/Publication/Article: Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club. Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club. Vol. IX, 1920. p.154 onwards.
  • <6> Text/Publication/Volume: Childe and Simpson, V G and W D. 1954. Illustrated guide to ancient monuments in the ownership or guardianship of The Ministry of Works: volume vi: Scotland. 2nd ed.. 93.
  • <7> Text/Publication/Article: HRC. 1994. 'Knocknagael Boarstone (Inverness & Bona parish): Pictish symbol stone', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1994, p.33. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 33. 33.
  • <8> Text/Publication/Volume: Mack, A. 1997. Field guide to the Pictish symbol stones. 111.
  • <9> Verbal Communication: Aitken, J. Comments by Jacquie Aitken, SMR Assistant. 14/08/2001.
  • <10> Text/Publication/Booklet: Inverness Museum. 2010. A Catalogue of the Pictish Symbol Stones at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Paper (Copy).
  • <11> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Fraser, L et al. 08/2010. Knocknagael Substation, Inverness: Archaeological Watching Brief and Trial Trenching Evaluation. Highland Archaeology Services Ltd. Digital. p 9.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

May 27 2011 11:41AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the Heritage Portal maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.