Cat Stones of Scotland

The Cat Stones are mainly linked with battles[1] or burials whilst a few may have primary or secondary connections with Scottish Wildcats (Felis silvestris).

"[3] The Catstane (NT 14899 74378), a monolith, formed the focus for a cemetery of long-cist burials and once bore an inscription, translated as "In this tomb lies Vetta, daughter of Victricus"' written in a 5th or 6th century AD script.

The Catstane stood in what had been an arable field on the farm of Brigs and tradition has it that it commemorates either a battle fought between the forces of Malcolm II and those of the usurper Constantine, or the spot where the latter was killed.

The associated legend is that at Halloween Scottish wildcats formed a circle around it to dignify a huge black cat that sat atop the stone.

[7] In the Barony of Ladyland the Cat Craig is located beside the lane running up to Cockston Farm and is one of two drystone wall enclosed crags.

[9] As an easily identified and prominent landscape feature that would serve as an ideal rallying point for the vassals of the laird prior to battle as was the borestone at Giffen Castle and Greenhills near Beith, also in North Ayrshire.