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Charmstones

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used in the Island of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

Postcard of Charmstones.
000-190-004-233-C
© National Museums Scotland

Charmstones

These stone spindle whorls were used in the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides as charms against diseases in cattle. They were found in use in 1860. Such stones are known as clachan nathrach, or adderstones.

Though the form suggests the function of spindle whorl, the secondary use and naming seem to suggest lack of familiarity with the former use. Instead the stones were considered, according to tradition, to have been used by adders crawling through them to slough off their skins. They were used to cure diseases in cattle caused, it was believed, by snake-bites.

The stones are probably spindle whorls, that is weights fixed on the end of a small rod or spindle. They are likely to have been lost and then found when their earlier use was unknown.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-190-004-233-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 11
Date: Medieval or earlier
Material: Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Dimensions: 26 mm Dia x 16 mm W
28 mm Dia x 9 mm W
32 mm Dia x 17 mm W
37 mm Dia x 9 mm W
What: Charm / spindle whorl / adderstone
Charm / spindle whorl / adderstone
Charm / spindle whorl / adderstone
Charm / spindle whorl / adderstone
Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where: Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Event:
Description: Stone spindle-whorl used as a charm against diseases of cattle in Lewis, superstitiously termed an adderstone
Stone spindle-whorl used as a charm against diseases of cattle in Lewis, superstitiously termed an adderstone
Stone spindle-whorl used as a charm against diseases of cattle in Lewis, superstitiously termed an adderstone
Stone spindle-whorl used as a charm against diseases of cattle in Lewis, superstitiously termed an adderstone
References:
  • Mitchell, Arthur, The Past in the Present. Edinburgh: 1980. 
Translations:
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