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Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire is a carved stone bearing an incised cross, situated on high ground in Inverness-shire. The monument stands on bedrock of the Appin Group, a sequence of metamorphic rocks formed during the Neoproterozoic era, comprising graphitic pelite, calcareous pelite, calcsilicate-rock and psammite. This ancient geological foundation provides the stone matrix into which the cross was incised.
Such cross-marked stones are characteristic of early medieval Scotland, typically dating to the first millennium AD, and often associated with Christian practice and territorial significance. The incised cross design—created by cutting lines directly into the stone surface—represents a simpler form of cross-carving than relief-worked examples, yet demonstrates deliberate ritual or commemorative intent.
The stone is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM9579, recognising its archaeological and heritage value. Its elevated location on Meall Doire places it within the wider landscape of early medieval settlement and religious activity in the Highlands, contributing to understanding of Christian practice and community identity in this region during the early medieval period.
Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM9579. View the official record →
Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire is a carved stone bearing an incised cross, situated on high ground in Inverness-shire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM9579.
Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire 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 SM9579.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Old House of Keppoch,motte 250m SE of Keppoch (2 km), Incised stone, 190m NW of Cranachan Bridge (3.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire'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.
Cross Incised Stone, Meall Doire stands on Appin Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is graphitic pelite, calcareous pelite, calcsilicate-rock and psammite.