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Cat Stane, Inch, Edinburgh. |
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Description
The Cat Stane does not look like a traditional standing stone
and is rather smaller than normal, but its position suggests
that it may be accepted as one. The stone is comprised of red
sandstone which has been roughly dressed for use as a gate post
and stands 1.5m high and 0.5m broad at base. The Cat Stane
originally stood near the junction of the Dalkeith and Liberton
roads at Nether Liberton farm, but was removed at the beginning
of the 19th century, when the road was widened, and lay in the
field opposite until in 1891, when it was built into the wall on
the road to Greenend at Nether Liberton, re-occupying its
original position. It was afterwards taken by the proprietor of
Inch House, who set it up in its present position, on the summit
of a conspicuous knoll, within the present school grounds.
Directions
Kingsinch School is located to the east side of Edinburgh and the
use of street plan is highly recommended. The stone is located
within the school grounds and permission should be sought before
entering.
Parking
There is no charge for parking along most of the streets in the
area.
Fieldnotes
The Cat Stane is not quite what you would expect a standing
stone to be, being rather thin and I was at first suspicious
that this was simple an old gate post. However, there does seem
to be a history behind the stone which does give it some
authenticity. Furthermore, when we look at words and meanings,
we find that this stone has nothing to do with furry felines, as
"cat" also means footpath, track or drove road. The
fact that this stone once stood near the junction of the
Dalkeith and Liberton roads at Nether Liberton farm, suggests
its original purpose to be that of a marker stone. Edinburgh
this way, perhaps!
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