GCXXM9 The Hilton of Cadboll Stone (Traditional Cache) in Northern Scotland, United Kingdom created by ghiribizzo

This cache has been archived.

Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Lorgadh

Volunteer UK Reviewer - geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Information https://wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/United+Kingdom
Geocaching.com Knowledge Books http://support.groundspeak.com//index.php

GCXXM9 ▼

A cache by ghiribizzo Message this owner

Hidden : 8/23/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The Hilton of Cadboll stone is a 'replica'. That is, the original stone from 800AD was 're-discovered' in 1811 lying on the foreshore. One face of the sculpture, probably containing a cross, had been completely removed so as to allow for it's use as a graveslab. A crudely carved shield bears an inscription to an Alexander Duff and his three wives dated 1676. Local legend says that after this early form of vandalism the slab was deemed too heavy to transport to Fearn Abbey a few miles away, resulting in the stone being discarded where it lay.
Even after its rediscovery in the 19th century it was not afforded much honour. It was left in a nearby shed until the 1860s when it was removed by the MacLeods of Cadboll who had it re-erected beside the avenue to Invergordon Castle in an area known as the "American Garden". There it remained until 1921 when it was sent to the British Museum in London. There was such an outcry at this move that within the year it was sent back to Scotland getting as far as the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh where it remains to this day.

The year 2000 saw the return of the Hilton Stone in the form of the commencement of a stone reconstruction carved by sculptor Barry Grove.
He was commissioned to reproduce the stone as closely as possible as to how the original would have appeared. He used traditional hand carving techniques.
The seven ton slab of sandstone came from Clashach Quarry near Hopeman in Moray and took three weeeks to dress 'square'.
Historic Scotland commissioned a 'dig' in Feb 2001 at the west end of St.Mary's Chapel based on the huge interest in the new stone. A wealth of carved fragments were found from the previously unknown cross face of the slab. Perhaps the most outstanding find was the discovery of the original's missing base. This site was not fully excavated until late 2001 by Glasgow University. Over 700 fragments and the base were recovered.
This enabled Barry Grove to carve the new stone as 'complete' which you can see at the site.

From the parking coordinates, an easy walk brings you to two stone pillars and a commemorative bench. The cache is nearby.
Passing through the gate at the pillars and crossing the burn allows access to the Hilton of Cadboll Stone and the earthworks of St.Mary's Chapel. The stone is illuminated at night.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre Vil Haqre Unjgubea

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)