Govan’s ancient stones carve out a niche as the country’s best hidden gem

The Govan Stones tell the story of the Clydeside community’s past, writes Chris Mccall

They are a reminder of Govan’s status as an ancient religious and royal centre, long before the Clydeside community was merged into Glasgow.

Now the Govan Stones, a collection of more than 100 carved crosses and grave markers dating from the early medieval period, have been voted as Scotland’s favourite historical hidden gem.

They received more than 2,000 votes in a nationwide poll carried out to promote some of the country’s lesser known tourist attractions.

The stones are housed in Govan Old Parish Church, a Victorian building which stands in a graveyard that has been in use for at least 1,500 years.

The parish was once a stronghold of the kingdom of Srathclyde, a Brittonic-speaking land that was centred around Dumbarton Rock, until it gradually came under the control of Scots kings from the 11th century onwards.

The five large ‘hogback’ stones found in Govan suggest that it was occupied or at least partly settled by Vikings, who carved similar monuments across Ireland and Scandinavia.

Ardrossan Castle, a medieval ruin which once played host to some of Scotland’s most powerful people including William Wallace, came in second place.

The Howff, a 453-year-old graveyard, landed in third place with over 1,000 votes. Fourth place was claimed by the James Watt Cottage – a former workshop of the Scots inventor which stands in the grounds of Kinneil House in Bo’ness.

Campbeltown Picture House, one of the earliest surviving purposebuilt cinemas in the UK, came in fifth place with over 800 votes. The final spot was claimed by Lincluden Collegiate Church, where visitors can still find angels and cherubs carved in the stone.

As part of the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites were celebrated with six events in April. The organisers then set out to find six “lesser-known” sites to bring them into the spotlight as well.

The campaign began in June after 28 sites were nominated by local groups and organisations.

The six winning Hidden Gems sites are now preparing to mark their victory with six events during

0 The Govan Stones