Attribution: Sophie Dickson

The Edderton Cross Slab

The Edderton Cross Slab is believed to be from the 8th or 9th AD and Pictish in origin, located in Edderton’s Old Church cemetery. Although it is located in the churchyard it is not thought to be a burial place. Like many other Pictish monuments, the intended function of the monument hides in obscurity, although the inclusion of cross motifs suggests its use as an early Christian monument. Noted by Historic Environment Scotland, the obvious absence of common Pictish symbols has earned it its status as a scheduled monument, valuable for providing us with an example of an unusual example of a Pictish design and enriching our familiarity with the visual vocabulary of early Scotland. The Cross Slab contains a Celtic cross on the west-face and a Latin cross relief above an unarmed horse rider on the east-face. Below him, two further armed horse riders, heading towards the left. Around 2005, the slab seems to have been reset, allowing more of the slab’s lower section to be seen which was previously covered by ground. It was therefore revealed that the Celtic cross on the west-face was set upon tiered steps.
The following description is taken from the Second Statistical Account of 1840:
“There is another sculptured stone in the church-yard, with a warrior on horseback in the lower compartment, and a large cross engraved above it; on the other side there are a number of curious circles and hieroglyphics, arranged in an indescribable mann”

References:                                                                                                                                          Historic Environment Scotland , 2016, ‘Statement of National Importance‘ Canmore ID 14743                                                                                                                            Highland Historic Environment Record, MHG8649

The west face of the Pictish stone showing the Celtic Ring Cross.

The west face of the Pictish cross slab showing the Celtic Ring Cross.    Attribution: unknown

The Pictish Stone

The east side of the Pictish Slab in the burial ground at Edderton.      Attribution: unknown

Close up of the horse and unarmed rider from the lower panel on the Pictish Stone.

Close up of the horse and unarmed rider from the lower panel on the Pictish Slab.     Attribution: unknown

Edderton Burial Ground

The entrance to the burial ground.

The entrance to the burial ground.    Attribution: unknown

Some of the older gravestones.

Attribution: unknown

View more photographs of Edderton Burial Ground

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Edderton » Edderton Places » Edderton Transport
Bridge 01
Bridge 01
In the beginning preparation works ....
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Bridge 02
Bridge 03
Bridge 03
Then followed foundation works.
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Bridge 04
Bridge 05
Bridge 05
Bridge 06
Bridge 06
There was some underground / undersea work ...
Bridge 07
Bridge 07
Bridge 08
Bridge 08
Bridge 09
Bridge 09
Finally, the decking was complete ....
Bridge 10
Bridge 10
... requiring a painted surface ....
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Bridge 11
Bridge 12
Bridge 12
.... followed by tarmac.
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Bridge 13
The first cyclists allowed to cross were Linda and Duncan.
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Bridge 14
The opening ceremony required an official platform.
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Bridge 15
And flower arrangers.
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Bridge 16
And many flower arrangements.
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Bridge 17
Plus a gift for HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
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Bridge 18
Lots of invited guests.
Bridge 19
Bridge 19
And lots of motorists waiting to cross the new bridge.
Bridge 20
Bridge 20
At last a lovely, new, long awaited bridge.
Bridge 21
Bridge 21
The Final bridge
Extra Construction Photo 01
Extra Construction Photo 01
Extra Construction Photo 02
Extra Construction Photo 02
Extra Construction Photo 03
Extra Construction Photo 03
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Extra Construction Photo 04
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Extra Construction Photo 05
Extra Construction Photo 06
Extra Construction Photo 06
The deck is supported on 20 piers each consisting of a reinforced concrete portal founded on two No. 2.1m diameter piles cast in place on a founding stratum up to 25m below seabed level. [Above information courtesy of Christiani-Morrison]
Extra Construction Photo 07
Extra Construction Photo 07
Only a few bridges have been built in Britain using this technique and Dornoch will be by far the biggest and, at 890m, one of the longest in Europe. It will reduce the journey time from Caithness and Sutherland along the A9 by approximately 30 minutes and 35 kilometres (22 miles). [Above information courtesy of Christiani-Morrison]
Extra Construction Photo 08
Extra Construction Photo 08
Extra Construction Photo 09
Extra Construction Photo 09
Extra Construction Photo 10
Extra Construction Photo 10
Aerial view of the Dornoch Firth Bridge as seen from Edderton.
Page created on 1 October 2022

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