The Picts, or ‘Painted People’ lived in Scotland, north of the Firth of Forth during the early Middle Ages. They were a society formed of a warrior elite and a lower farming class. Most of what we know about them is because of the Romans. The Picts themselves left no written records of their own. However, they did leave elaborate carved artwork on monumental or symbol stones reflecting their Pagan beliefs of the fourth century and later journey to Christianity. Many of these stones, up to 20% of the them in fact, they can be found in Aberdeenshire. Nor is it clearly understood what the purpose of the stones might have been. It is possible that the stones might have been some kind of commemorative marker or an indication of land ownership.

Many stones can be found in or near churches where they were found, reflecting that sites of worship have a long and complicated history. The example at the top of the post can be found at the museum in Perth. The stone with the cross was found face down in St Madoes Churchyard in the Carse of Gowrie. It wasn’t the only Pictish Stone I came across. There’s another example at Dunkeld Cathedral – which happens to be on the opposite of the River Tay from all that remains of Birnam Wood, made famous in Shakespeare’s Scottish play – ‘he shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him.’

The symbols on the decorated stones have been categorised and there are about 50 commonly used symbols including mirrors, combs, horses, deer, salmon and geese. For more information as well as some stunning pictures visit (opens a new tab) https://www.digitscotland.com/what-do-the-pictish-symbols-on-scotlands-carved-stones-mean/