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Craigmailing cross slab is a Pictish or early medieval carved stone monument located in Linlithgowshire, Scotland. The slab stands approximately 550 metres north-west of Craigmailing itself, positioned on bedrock composed of mafic volcanic rocks and tuffs of Dinantian age, formed during the Mississippian period when intense volcanic activity dominated this region. This geological foundation of ancient lava flows and pyroclastic deposits has weathered to create the upland terrain characteristic of central Scotland.
The cross slab represents a significant form of Christian monument-carving that flourished in Scotland from around the sixth century onwards. Such carved stones served both commemorative and religious purposes, marking sites of spiritual significance or burial grounds. The cross motif reflects the spread of Christianity through the region during the early medieval period, when Pictish and Scots communities were adopting Christian practices and visual culture.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1902, recognising its archaeological and cultural importance. The survival of such carved stones in Linlithgowshire demonstrates the area's role in the early Christian landscape of eastern Scotland, where communities established religious centres and burial sites across the moorland and upland zones. The monument contributes to understanding settlement patterns and spiritual practice in medieval Scotland.
Craigmailing,cross slab 550m NW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1902. View the official record →
Craigmailing cross slab is a Pictish or early medieval carved stone monument located in Linlithgowshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1902.
Craigmailing,cross slab 550m NW of is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM1902.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cairnpapple Hill, prehistoric ceremonial complex (1.1 km), Windywa's Silvermine, silvermine 300m SW of Wester Tartraven (1.2 km), Hilltop House, coal pit 250m NNW of (1.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Craigmailing,cross slab 550m NW of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Craigmailing,cross slab 550m NW of stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Dinantian, bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.