UKC

We came across these markings on Pabbay walking back from the crag close to Prophecy of Drowning. There is a famous rare Pictish Stone on the site of the old abandoned village and there was much discussion over these marks. Are they natural or manmade?

Given their location I wonder if they are Norse runes?

It looks like incised lettering in a roman font, certainly nothing like the flowing symbols and patterns of Pictish carvings. A bit more contemporary in age I imagine.

Pity you didn't get a pic with a more oblique light source, it would have picked out the details/shape far better. 

If you can remember the exact location, it might be worth checking out the fantastic canmore.org.uk searchable map. Plenty of sites listed on Pabaigh.

Can you give a grid reference? 

Or if you can remember where it is have a look on here:https://pastmap.org.uk/map

Make sure to select the buttons marked Canmore and HER (Historic Environment Record). You’ll need to zoom in close for the buttons to be selectable.

It might be worth contacting the national trust for Scotland. When I visited Pabbay in May 2019, they had a team of about 12 on the island doing various bits and pieces. I do remember having a discussion about some ruins near the prophecy of drowning crag which they were investigating . However, I don't remember many details other than the possibility of some kind of habitation for a priest. I think my mind was preoccupied with the logistics of the 100m abseil 😨

Manmade. It approximately translates as "The slab of three pebbles is the first of extremes" - no idea what that might mean. 

Crampon scratches from the FWA.

The Modern Antiquarian website is quite comprehensive and contains thousands of sites contributed to by amateur ancient archaeology enthusiasts who like wandering the lowlands and highlands of Britain and the rest of the World. No-one has come up with anything on Pabay. worth a browse for other interesting sites among the hills.

https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/