Obelisk dials are unique to Scotland and there are only 25 of them known. The first is said to be that at Drummond Castle. It was carved in 1630 by John Mylne the King's Master Mason.
Obelisk dials are made up of three parts. The base element is a square shaft with four or five square panels on each side. In these panels are often sunken dials of bowl-hollows, hearts or triangular and rectangular shapes. The middle element is an octangonal section boss. The corners may be cut away and have dials inscribed in the hollows. The crowning element is a square tapering finial which when viewed with the lower square shaft produces the obelisk appearance. This finial also has panelled sides with up to seven or eight on each side. There can be 70 or 80 surfaces in total available for dials.
Kelburn
Complete Dials
Ardlamont, Asknish, Ballencleroch, Ballindalloch, Barnbougle, Bonnington, Burrell, Carberry, Carron Grange , Craigiehall, Cumbernauld, Drummond, Gartmore, Kelburn (A), Kelburn (B), Kirkside Place, Kirkton Hall, Leny House, Leven, Lochgoilhead, Mount Stuart, Ormidale, Pinkie, Rossdhu, Sauchieburn, Tongue, Wemyss Castle
Partial Dials
Auchenbowie, Callendar House, Cardross, Dalmeny House, Drumquhassle, Finlaystone House, Gask House, Grange Hill, Kirkhill, Ladyland, Lawton, Leckie, Orchard Farm, Pollock Castle, Stirling Castle
Standard Boss
Ardlamont, Auchenbowie, Ballencleroch, Barnbougle, Bonnington, Burrell, Carron Grange, Craigiehall, Grange Hill, Kelburn, Kirkside Place, Lawton, Mount Stuart, Ormidale, Pinkie, Tongue
Pointed Boss
Cardross, Drumquhassle, Gartmore, Kirkton Hall
Wedge Boss
Ballindalloch, Leckie, Wemyss Castle
Boss with Corner Hollows
Asknish, Leven, Lochgoilhead
Boss with No Hollows
Cumbernauld, Drummond, Gask House, Leny House, Rossdhu, Sauchieburn
Boss with Hollows on Proclining Surfaces Only
Boss with Upper Corners Only Cut Out
Dalmeny
Sun Moon Star Plinth
Burrell, Carron Grange, Grange Hill, Mount Stuart, Ormidale