NM0248 : The Ringing Stone - cup marked erratic, North Tiree
taken 7 years ago, near to Vaul, Tiree, Argyll And Bute, Scotland
Also called in Gaelic: Clach Na Choire; Clach A' Choire; Clach-a-coille.
The boulder is a granite glacial erratic, brought by ice from the Island of Rum. It is known locally as 'The Ringing Stone' because of the metallic ring it produces when struck. It is situated on the N coast of Tiree 1.8km NE of Balephetrish. Measuring about 3.4m by 2.4m and 1.8m in height, it lies balanced on the rocks some 15m inland from high-water mark. On its sides and upper surface it bears at least fifty-three circular or oval depressions, of which twenty are large and usually oval in shape, measuring up to 230mm by 150mm across and 60mm deep Link the remainder are smaller and predominantly circular, averaging 70mm in diameter and 10mm in depth. The similarity with artificial cup-marked rocks elsewhere in Britain suggests that these too may be prehistoric in origin, Neolithic or early Bronze Age in date.
Canmore: Link
Information board (situated nearby): Link
It is claimed that if Clach a' Choire 'ever shatters or falls off the pedestal of small stones on which it rests, Tiree will sink beneath the waves' Tiree place names: Link
3D image and further information from North of Scotland Archaeological Society: Link