r e f u g e   s t a n e
w e s t   l o t h i a n
NS 980 731
PRIVATE LAND

Introduction

The Refuge Stane is a solitary stone above the Scottish Korean War Memorial at Witchcraig, to the East of Torphichen and to the North-east of Cairnpapple, situated in the middle of a drystane wall between Craigmailing and Wairdlaw farms. Click here for a location map provided by StreetMap (please note that the stone erroneously marked on this map as the Refuge Stane is in fact the Gormyre Stone).

The Refuge Stane, September 2001

In the above shot, taken shortly after the terrorist attacks in America on September 11th 2001, it is clear that the Refuge Stane still has significance as a functioning memorial stone for contemporary Christians.

The Stane

This stone is incised with a cross, presumably Christian, but its actual provenance seems obscure. If it is indeed a Christian stone, it may have some connection with Torphichen Preceptory, a couple of miles to the West.

The Refuge Stane, Looking East

On the "rear" (East) side of the stone, two horizontal bars instead of the customary single bar can be seen on the cross. This form of the cross is sometimes referred to as the Patriarchal Cross, and is apparent on an early seal of the Convent of St. John in Jerusalem, although the Order of St. John later used the Maltese Cross. Nonetheless, the form of this cross would seem to very convincingly tie the stone in with the presence of the Knights Hospitallers at Torphichen Preceptory.

The Refuge Stane, Looking West

Aside from the cross markings on either side of the stone, and its location not far from Torphichen, the name of the Refuge Stane may be another possible indication of a Christian provenance.

The Witchcraig and Scottish Korean War Memorial

The choice of the Witchcraig, beneath the Refuge Stane, for the location of the Scottish Korean War Memorial indicates a continued tradition of spiritual contemplation within the immediate vicinity.