| 002 White Stone, Innerleithen Road, Peebles. |
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Description
The White Stone is a glacial erratic of white quartz with
some impurity veins, measuring about
1.00m by 0.70m and having a girth of about 2.50m. The stone
has been set up on a pedestal, immediately opposite the
entrance to Peebles Hotel Hydro, in a small alcove formed in
the stone boundary-wall on the south side of the A 72 road
to Innerleithen. Older maps of the area show the location as
"Whyte Knowe" A plaque on the wall next to the stone displays the
following text:
"So called because it is a quartz rock
believed to have been carried to this location during the
Ice Age. The White Stone is frequently referred to in the
records of the Burgh of Peebles. It became the spot where
visitors were welcomed by the magistrates on their entry to
the town and where parting guests drank from the stirrup
cup."
Directions
From Station Road car park in Peebles, walk south towards the town
centre. Immediately turn left and follow Innerleithen Road running to
the west. Cross over the road at the roundabout and continue. The stone
is situated on the south side of the road (A72) opposite the entrance to Peebles
Hotel Hydro.
Parking
There are numerous car parks in the town.
Folklore
This stone is an ancient boundary stone of the burgh of
Peebles, and in 1462 it is referred to as:
"The Quhyt
Stane on the north half of the gat rekand to the
Wenlaw".
You can work that one out for yourself!
To date, no other folklore has been found relating to the White Stone,
but it is interesting to note that quartz boulders or stones are
often found at ancient sites and, just perhaps, the White Stone
may have had some folklore or tradition associated with it in the
past, sadly now long forgotten.
Fieldnotes
Despite not being a traditional standing stone, the
"Quhyt Stane" is impressive, sitting proud in a
small alcove beside a busy main road. Perhaps the most
amazing thing is that it has survived for more than 500
years and once served as a boundary stone for the borough of
Peebles. The best time to see this stone is at night, under
a full moon, when the stone seems to glow with its own inner
light. Okay, not really a stone for the megalithic
enthusiast but for those with an interest in stones, well
worth a visit. Some say that a face if sometimes visible on
the stone, if the light is just right!
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