A rare survival
The Barochan Cross is one of only three complete free-standing crosses surviving from the early-medieval kingdom of Strathclyde. The other two are the so-called ‘Sun Cross’ at Govan and the Netherton Cross, in Hamilton. These crosses date from AD 900–1100. The Barochan Cross is the most ambitiously sculpted of the three. It originally stood beside Barochan Mill, near the village of Houston in Renfrewshire, 10km from Paisley. In the 19th century it was moved to the summit of a knoll near the mill. In 1981 it was moved again, this time to Paisley Abbey for its better conservation.
The cross stands almost 2m high and is decorated on all four sides. Most of the decoration comprises panels of bold interlace with a key pattern. The large lower panel on the front contains an interesting scene that includes a mounted warrior wielding a spear; a man carrying a drinking horn; three other men, one holding an axe; and two animals. On the back the two main panels each contain a line of four identical figures, as well as interlace. In the upper panel is the outline of four figures in long garments. In the lower panel are four figures in profile, blowing trumpets and wielding spears.
Signpost to a warrior society
The cross was an overtly Christian monument, but its martial imagery is striking. It does not appear to have been related to a nearby church. It originally stood in a sheltered location beside a ford and close to a waterfall. The track next to it would have led north to
Immediately to the south of the cross is a low hillock where the later medieval castle was built. It is possible that this was the location of the earlier lordly centre also. The Roman fort on nearby Barochan Hill is believed to have been called Coria, deriving from the Celtic ‘hosting place’. It may be that at one time Barochan was a tribal centre.
Highlight
•The carvings of warriors – evocative images of ancient Britons.
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Barochan Cross