The Maiden Stone
The Maiden Stone at Pitcaple near
Inverurie in Scotland, of pink granite stands 10 feet tall and is one of the
finest examples of a Pictish cross slab in Aberdeenshire. It dates from about
the 9th century.
The
creation of the stone is subject of a local legend when The Maiden of Drumdurno
made a wager with a stranger that she could bake a firlot of meal before he could
build a road to the top of the local Benachie hill. The stranger was the Devil and of course he
finished the road before the bread was baked.
The maiden fled and as the Devil caught up with her she uttered a prayer
to God. At once she was turned to stone
and the place where the Devil touched her shoulder is still marked by the cleft
in the stone.
Sueno’s stone
This huge sandstone pictish cross slab stands on the eastern
side of Forres in Scotland
Local legend says that it stands at the cross roads where
Macbeth originally met with the three witches who were eventually imprisoned
inside the stone.
The Eagle Stone
The Eagle Stone is a Pictish Symbol Stone which stands on a grassy hill in Nutwood Lane, overlooking the Scottish village of Strathpeffer in Easter Ross. Dating to the 7th century, the Clach an Tiompain or standing stone stands 32” high, 24” wide and 10” thick has two symbols carved on its face – an eagle (which gives the stone its name) and what may be a horse shoe or an arch. There are various legends about the stone but it is thought that it may have been used in marriage ceremonies or indeed may have commemorated a particular marriage. Originally the stone was sited lower down the valley and was moved to its present position in 1411 to commemorate a battle between the Munro’s and the MacDonald’s on the site of today’s village. Apparently this stone was the subject of a prophecy by Coinneach Odhar, known as the Brahan Seer,(see seperate pic), who, in the 17th century predicted that “ when the Eagle Stone falls three times, the waters will come so far that ships will be moored to the stone ”. It is said that the stone has been moved twice but is now firmly cemented in place.
The Eagle Stone
The Verbeia Altar
The iconic Verbeia Altar is a well weathered stone which is now finally preserved in the Old Manor House alongside the church at Ilkley, on the site of the Roman Fort of Olicana, an important crossing of the River Wharfe (Roman Trajectus). The altar bears a worn Roman inscription which translates to " To holy Verbeia, Clodius Fronto, Prefect of the 2nd Cohort of Ligones, dedicated this." It is thought that Verbeia was Godess of the River Wharfe. Legend has it that Clodius Fronto survived when he fell into the turbulent water at this deep ford in the river and dedicated this altar to the Godess.
The Rudston Monolith
Close to the east end of the
parish church of All Saints East Yorkshire is Rudston Monolith said to be
the tallest of all Britain
So what is it doing at this
location? Local tradition says that the
devil, angered by the building of a monument to his adversary, hurled this
stone javelin at the church. By divine
intervention his aim was deflected and the stone landed in its present position
deeply embedded in the ground.
On the other hand it may have
been left there by glacial action, it certainly was not local but is thought to
have originated several miles away on the coast at Cayton Bay Scarborough . Another theory is that it was erected by
Bronze Age men for some ritualistic purpose, being later adapted by early
Christians as a cross or ruud, thus giving the village its name.
The Barmby Wart Stone
Another curious standing stone can be seen opposite the
church porch at Barmby Moor near Pocklington in East
Yorkshire . Just under five
feet in height this stone is known locally as ‘The Wart Stone’. Rain water sometimes gathers on the top of
the stone and local legend has it that this water is a certain cure for
warts. Although very little is known
about the stone, it would seem to be a prehistoric monolith, probably of some
religious or Pagan significance.
The Long Stoop
The Long Stoop is a wayside marker stone alongside the roundabout
at the entrance to Leeds & Bradford Airport at Yeadon, Leeds. An
information plaque reads :
‘This marker stone (Long Stoop) erected hundreds of years
ago to guide travellers towards an ancient settlement at Dene Head to the east,
was moved from its earlier site 186 yards to the south west in the year 1984
for runway extensions.’
The Long Stoop
Ralph Cross
Many large stone crosses can be
seen on the North York Moors where they were used as waymarkers over this once
inhospitable area. The 17th
century Ralph Cross, which is
situated at the junction of ancient pathways on Blakey Ridge, has a hollow on
top where money could be left for needy travellers. It is now the symbol of the National Park.
Ralph Cross
The Drummer Boy
It has always been thought that there is an underground passage connecting Richmond Castle with Easby Abbey just one mile away on the Banks of the River Swale. The story goes that towards the end of the 18th century, soldiers at the castle found the entrance to the tunnel under the keep. It was so small that they had to use a small regimental drummer by to gain access. He was told to follow the tunnel, beating his drum as he went, to enable the soldiers to follow the route from above. Apparently the plan was successful in that the drum was clearly heard for half a mile in the direction of Easby Abbey, but then ceased and the drummer boy was never seen again. The supposed tunnel has never been found, but The Drummer Boy Stone marks the exact spot where the drumming was said to have ceased near to Easby Wood on the east bank of Swale.
The Drummer Boy Stone
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