27 November 2015

An historic monument from the 11^th century, which has been conserved thanks to an Ancient Monument Grant from Historic Environment Scotland and a Built Heritage Repair Grant from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, has been unveiled this week in Luss Graveyard.

The Hogback stone is an important 11^th century scheduled monument, which was viewed by the many people who visited the category B listed St Mackessog Church and graveyard in one of the National Park’s most popular visitor destinations – Luss. It is thought that it could have been used to mark more than one grave in its time and may have been of Viking origin. 

However, in recent years the condition of the stone had deteriorated with extensive biological growth obscuring the sculpted stone work. It was also in danger of being damaged by adjacent leaning gravestones.  

 

Hogback stone before restoration

Ian MacEachern of the Luss Heritage Society in conjunction with the Luss and Arden Development Trust secured funding from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Park to appoint a stone conservator, Nic Boyes, to carry out restoration work.

Mosses were removed from the stone exposing its fine carving and neighbouring, leaning gravestones carefully straightened. The stone was then raised onto a small plinth and surrounded with gravel. 

 

Hogback stone after restoration

The project also involved training local volunteers in how to record the many ancient gravestones in the church graveyard.

The final phase of the project, to be undertaken over the next few months, will be to display three early Christian cross slabs which have been in storage. They date from the 7^th-9^th century and will be displayed in the church. Volunteers are also being advised on the future management of Luss’s important historic stones.

Source Url: http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/looking-after/historic-hogback-stone-unveiled-in-luss-graveyard/menu-id-483.html