Cochno Stone

The Cochno Stone is a Bronze Age cup and ring marked rock near Cochno farm in Faifley, West Dunbartonshire. It lies close to Auchnacraig and is also called Whitehill 1 or the Druid Stone. The stone measures 12.8 by 7.9 metres and was first recorded in 1887 by the Rev. James Harvey. Around ninety carved indentations cover its surface, making it one of Scotland’s finest petroglyphs. These markings date from the Bronze Age and show intricate cup and ring designs. The site sits in a quiet area next to farmland and open ground. Its remote setting adds to the sense of discovery when visitors arrive. The site is worth the journey because of its national importance in rock art studies. Harvey’s early documentation preserved knowledge of the carvings before modern methods. In 1965 the stone was buried to guard against vandalism that threatened the carvings. A team from the University of Glasgow partially re-exposed it in 2015 during a three-day dig. A fuller re-exposure followed in 2016, allowing archaeologists to study the markings again. These efforts show how communities and scholars work to protect ancient sites. The stone’s survival and rediscovery highlight its archaeological value. Visitors find a large flat rock covered with cup and ring motifs in the grassy field. The carvings appear as shallow hollows and concentric rings across the stone’s surface. The surrounding area is open and peaceful, with views over the wider landscape. A small path leads to the site from nearby tracks. Interpretive signs explain the likely Bronze Age origins of the carvings. The stone itself sits slightly raised above the ground, making the carvings easier to see. Its quiet location means few people visit, so the site feels undisturbed.