Barochan Cross

About

Barochan Cross is an ancient Scottish Celtic Christian cross dated to the early Middle Ages, between the 8th and the 11th century. It was originally located on the northside of Barochan burn, about 2 km north of Houston in Renfrewshire, then moved to a position nearby on top of Corslie Hill in 1790. It remained there for the next 187 years, in an exposed position that caused significant damage to the cross. In 1977, it was taken to Stenhouse Conservation Centre in Edinburgh for preservation. Once repaired it was decided it couldn't return to its exposed position, that resulted in the 1981 decision to move it to Paisley Abbey to protect it from the elements. Barochan Cross is one of six known Christian crosses remaining from the Kingdom of Strathclyde—the others are held at the Govan Stones, namely the Govan Cross (also known as the Jordanhill Cross), the Sun Stone, the Cuddy Stane and the Inverted Cross, and the Netherton Cross in Hamilton Old Parish Church.

Description: The Barochan Cross was constructed using a pale sandstone. It is approximately 3.4 metres (11 ft) in height with 0.9 metres (3.0 ft) of the base designed to fit in the ground.