St Oran’s Cross in Selkirk
The world’s first Celtic High Cross, St Oran’s Cross, dating back to the 8th century, is being reassembled in Selkirk before it is returned to Iona for the celebration of the 1,450th anniversary of the arrival of St Columba on the island.
St Oran’s Cross will be re-erected for the first time in centuries in a new display as part of the anniversary celebrations.
Peter Yeoman, Historic Scotland’s Head of Cultural Heritage said: “The complete cross originally weighed in excess of 1 tonne and was 4.4 metres high. We believe it was commissioned by a King around the mid 700s.
“It is beautifully carved with Biblical scenes and Celtic interlace patterns. This monumental, powerful, and decorative use of the Christian cross had never been seen before anywhere in Western Europe.
The cross, which was in five pieces, will be re-erected within a specially constructed steel structure designed by Borders-based museum mountmaker Richard West.
Historic Scotland’s experts are cleaning, studying and conserving the carved stones before they go back on display.
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
