Cochno Stone

Cochno Stone is a large sandstone rock covered with around 90 cup and ring carved marks that form circles and spirals across its surface. The stone sits buried in a park in West Dunbartonshire and draws people interested in understanding ancient craft and prehistoric artistic expression.

A local reverend first documented the carved marks in 1887, bringing them to scholarly attention. The stone was buried in 1965 to shield it from damage and neglect over time.

The carved marks on this stone show the handiwork of prehistoric people and offer a window into how communities once expressed themselves through art. Visitors come to see these patterns and think about the people who made them thousands of years ago.

The stone is located in Auchnacraig Park, accessible through the parking area on Auchnacraig Road. Since it remains buried beneath soil, it helps to check conditions ahead and learn where viewing areas are marked.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow uncovered the carved marks in 2015 after they had been hidden underground for 51 years. This temporary excavation gave experts a rare chance to study and record every detail of the markings.