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Charmstone

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used in Skye, Inner Hebrides

Charmstone
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This stone spindle whorl was used in Skye in the Inner Hebrides as a charm. Such stones are known as clachan nathrach, or 'adderstones', and were used to cure snakebites in animals and humans, and other illnesses in cattle.

Though the form suggests the function of spindle whorl, its subsequent use and naming seem to suggest ignorance of the former use. Instead it was considered, according to tradition, to have been used by an adder crawling through the stone to slough off its skin.

The stone is from the collection of Dr G. F. Black.

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