Old Kilmadock Ogham Stone

We are now on BBC iPlayer!

The Old Kilmadock Stone featured on ‘Digging for Britain’ series 12, episode 4.

As you know the stone was safely lifted from the ground in March 2024 and taken to the workshops of the conservators in Edinburgh where it has been cleaned, dried out and stabilised.

As part of the Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) agreement with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) we were given three options for the final destination of the stone.

1). Conservation and restoration before being re-erected at Old K in a protective environment. This is not recommended by the conservators because of the fragile condition of stone.

2). Conservation and restoration and displayed in our local museum, the Stirling Smith, assuming that they will accept it. Stirling Council (SC) is dealing with this but after 9 months ROOK has heard nothing.

3). Conservation and reburial at Old K. something that none of us in ROOK want to happen.

Unfortunately until a decision is made by the Smith Art Gallery, Stirling Council, who technically own the stone, and HES, who have a responsibility for the graveyard, come to a decision then ROOK cannot begin to raise the money for the cost of conservation, restoration and display (hopefully) of the stone.

Again ROOK thanks all who donated the funds to get the stone out of the ground and taken to the conservators. That bill has been paid and leaves us a balance in the account to pay for the storage charges for the safe and controlled atmosphere that the stone is being kept in. Meanwhile while we wait for decisions to be made the stone is being studied and recorded by archaeologists and academics.