Find Spot record MHG56817 - Neolithic incised stone - Rhu Peninsula, Arisaig and Moidart

In April 2013, during a walkover survey of the Rhu Peninsula, by Arisaig, a group of very faint markings were spotted on a stone forming part of the east-facing wall of a ruined stone building. The markings could only be seen in exactly the right lighting conditions. The stone was of basalt and th markings, incised diamond shapes and cross-patterns less than 2mm in depth, have been interpreted as Neolithic (4000 - 2300 BC). The stone measures 290mm x 180mm x 200 mm (W x H x D). The ruined building is a couple of hundred years old and appears to be a rebuild of an earlier one. Many other stones are scattered close to the building but without further investigation there is nothing which can definitely be construed as a Neolithic feature. The incised stone appaers to have been used simply as a building stone. Follwing discussion with Trove officers and the landowner, the stone, which was not in any original context but was in a vulnerable location, has been moved to the Land, Sea and Islands Centre in Arisaig. <1> <2>

<1> Milburn, P, 2013, Discovery and excavation in Scotland: New series, Volume 14, 2013 (Text/Publication/Serial). SHG26384.

<2> Bowker, K, 2013, Rhu incised stone (Text/Record Form). SHG26386.