Watercolour on paper, undated
James Drummond (1816-1877)
RCAHMS: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection
This curiously weatherworn standing stone is situated in a field on the north shore of Loch Linnhe at Onich, Lochaber. The Gaelic name, which has been translated as ‘The Stone of Retribution or Vengeance’, recalls a local tradition concerning the last Lord of Badenoch and his sons, who attempted to exercise their right to bed the three daughters of a clansman on their wedding night. Another tale relates how the stone was taken for use as a bridge, only to return mysteriously overnight to its original location. Such stories often cluster around ancient survivors from the prehistoric past and in practice the Gaelic may simply mean ‘Stone Pillar’.
The rapidly captured sketch was subsequently used as the basis for a fine pencil drawing, which was reproduced with Drummond’s account of the stone in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
The holes in the stone are entirely natural.