The purpose and meaning of the stones are still unknown, but they probably served as a indicator for clans, lineages, or kindreds. It is probable that they honored individuals as a kind of grave stone. The symbols could also have been some kind of pictographic system of writing. The symbols can also be found on jewelery.
Classification
Pictish stones conventionally are divided into three groups:
Class 1 — unworked stones with symbols only incised. There is no cross on either side. Class 1 stones date back to the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries.
Class 2 — stones of rectangular shape with a large cross on one side and symbols on the other. The symbols, as well as Christian motifs, are carved in relief and the cross with its surroundings is filled with designs. Class 2 stones date from the 8th and 9th centuries.
Class 3 — on these stones no Pictish symbols can be found. The stones can be cross-slabs, recumbent gravemarkers, free-standing crosses, and composite stone shrines. They originate in the 8th or 9th century.
Sites
Pictish stone in Dunblane Cathedral
Only some stones still stand on their original site. Most of them were moved to museums in order to protect them.
Dunblane Cathedral, Dunblane — this Class 2 stone was found on the site were now the Dunblane Cathedral stands. It can be found inside the cathedral.
Perth Museum, Perth — collection of 3 Pictish stones called St Madoe's, Inchyra and Gellyburn.
Inverness Museum, Castle Wynd, Inverness — collection of 8 Class 1 stones, including the Adross Wolf and a fragment that matches a piece in Dunrobin Castle.
Knocknagael Boar Stone, The Highland Council HQ, Glenurquhart St, Inverness — Class 1 stone to be seen through a large window. Found at Knocknagael.
Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie — collection of fragments of Pictish stones and a Class 2 cross-slab. The museum also has a collection of photographs of Pictish stones in Scotland.
Ardoss Wolf and Deer (or Horse) — 2 Class 1 sandstone fragments
Thief's Stone, Rosskeen — Class 1 stone in a field
Shandwick Stone, Shandwick — Class 2 cross-slab protected by glass shelter.
Tarbat Discovery Centre, Portmahomack — collection of fragments and information about the Picts
Nigg Stone, Nigg inside the church — Class 2 cross-slab. A fragment of it can be found in Tain Museum
Tain and District Museum, Tain — Class 1 stone in the churchyard and two fragments in the museum
Churchyard, Edderton — Class 3 stone. Fragments found here are in Tain Museum.
Sharp Stone (Clach Biorach), Edderton — Class 1 stone on a field, viewable from the roadside
Kincardine Old Church, Ardgay — coffin-shaped monument
The Strathpeffer Eagle Stone
Eagle Stone (Clach an Tiompain), Strathpeffer — early Class 1 stone
St. Demhan's Cross, Creich — unworked stone with a cross, not fitting in any of the classifications
Dunfallandy Stone (Clach an t-Sagar), Pitlochry — Class 2 stone
Dunrobin Castle Museum, Golspie — collection of over 20 Class 1 and 2 Pictish stones collected by the Dukes of Sutherland
St Vigeans Museum, Arbroath — collection of Pictish and medieval stones. Includes the Dorsten Stone, a class 1 cross-slab, one of only two Pictish symbol-stones to carry a non-ogham inscription. To get access get key from cottage No 7.
Aberlemno Pictish stones, Aberlemno — three slabs by the roadside and one in the churchyard
Sueno's Stone, Forres — 6.5m-high Pictish stone dating from 9th or 10th century protected by glass
Meigle Pictish Stones, near Dundee — Museum in converted church which features possibly the richest display of stones in Scotland.
External links
The Highland Council Archaeology Unit (http://www.higharch.demon.co.uk/) — This webpage offers a leaflet in PDF-format about a Pictish Trail from Inverness to Golspie
Undiscovered Scotland (http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/meigle/meiglestones/) — Page about the Meigle Pictish Stones Museum with links to other relevant online resources.
Pictish symbol stones are generally found in the north-east of Scotland, with clusters found along the eastern coasts and into the Highlands.
At Burrian in Harray an incised cross was found along with an impressive eagle, similar to the one carved on the standing stone at the Brough o' Birsay, a crescent and V rod and mirror symbols.
This stone fragment was found to be decorated with a rough double-disk symbol and dates from the middle of the sixth century.
The purpose and meaning of the stones are still uncertain, but they probably served as personal memorials, the symbols indicating membership of clans, lineages, or kindreds.
Tain and District Museum, Tain — Class 1 stone in the yard and fragments from Edderton churchyard and Nigg in the museum.
Aberlemno Pictishstones, Aberlemno — three slabs by the roadside and one in the churchyard (Historic Scotland).
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