Parkmill Cross Slab carved standing stone near Alloa, Clackmannanshire with Clackmannan Tower on the horizon

Framed Prints

Framed Print of Parkmill Cross Slab carved standing stone near Alloa, Clackmannanshire with Clackmannan Tower on the horizon

Parkmill Cross Slab carved standing stone near Alloa, Clackmannanshire with Clackmannan Tower on the horizon The scheduling in 1970 of Parkmill Cross Slab reflects both the national importance of the stone itself and its important association with an early Christian cemetery. The monument consists of a large rectangular slab, 8 feet high, 2ft 7.5 inches broad and around 9 inches thick at the base, with a cross incised on both broad faces. It stands on a low knoll with its south broad face aligned east to west and is packed around the base with fairly large stones. It is likely to date from the 9th-10 centuries AD and may be the marker for an early Christian cemetery. Dr John Stuart's 19th century account “Sculpture Stones of Scotland, ” 2nd edition 1856-57, claims that “…an examination of the site in 1829 led to the discovery of many human bones, much decayed, close to the stone; and at about 9 feet north of its base, of a cist 3 feet in length, formed of sandstone flags, which also contained human bones much decayed. The cist was covered with a flag, at each end of which, on the inside, was incised a small cross of the simplest form but evidently cut with care.” Peter Miller, quoting from Stuart in an article in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society of Scotland in 1889 goes on to suggest that the stone is not in its original position but moved to its current location from another site. In the absence of convincing evidence it must be assumed that the stone is in its original position and likely to be surrounded by an early Christian cemetery comprising burial within and without long cists. Long-cist cemeteries are generally found in the coastal tracts on both sides of the Forth, around the Fife coast and the Tay estuary. Some may pre-date the advent of Christianity since there is evidence that Scottish burials in long cists without grave goods can date from as early as the 2nd century AD. Their association with inscribed stones of the type found at Parkmill are a more reliable indicator of a Christian presence. The Parkmill Cross Slab is highly visible in today's lan. © Gus Nicoll

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Media ID 49165026