Historylinks Archive

Byre charm stones from Rearquhar

Four charm stones, consisting of quartzite pebbles. An accompanying sheet states "These charm stones were used to ward off the evel eyes. One was found at each corner of a byre in Rearquhar to keep cattle from harm. The pebbles were not found locally but were probably brought from Ard Na Calc which was regularly visited by Colonel George Sutherland's workers between 1796 and 1815. Sand and sea shells were brought in carts from Ard Na Calc and lime was thus made available for the fields" The stones vary in diameter from 55mm to 35mm and are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape.

Dimensions: Diameter 35mm - 55mm

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