The Angus Pictish Trail
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Key:
- One Day Tour
- Two Day Tour
- Four Day Tour
1. Pictavia
Discover Scotland's ancient past and the legacy of the enigmatic Picts at Pictavia Visitor Centre, through a range of interactive exhibits, replicas and original artefacts, including the five stones from Menmuir, the Farnell stone, and Edzell No1 stone.
- Map ref:
- NO582601
- Directions:
- Off the A90 at Brechin.
- Open:
- Easter - Mid October 9.30am to 5.30pm Mon - Sat & 10.30am to 5.30pm Sunday; Winter Mid October - Easter 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday & 10.00am - 5.00pm Sunday
- Tel:
- 01356 626 241 or Tourist Information at 01356 623 050.
2. Brechin Cathedral
Noted for its Irish-style Round Tower. Dating to the late 11th or early 12th century, Brechin Cathedral has a collection of 4 sculptured stones of the period, the earliest being a mere fragment of a cross-slab. There is also an early 11th century hogback, and also a fine early Scottish cross-slab from nearby Aldbar. The front has a decorated Celtic cross while the back includes seated clerics, David rending the jaws of a young lion, surrounded by his emblems of harp, staff and sheep.
- Map ref:
- NO596601
- Directions:
- Sign-posted from Brechin town centre, at Bishops Close.
- Open:
- All year access to Cathedral precinct. Cathedral normally Monday to Saturday, 9 - 4
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01356 629360
3. Aberlemno Sculptured Stones
There are three roadside stones, two of which bear symbols only, the better one with fine snake, double-disc and z-rod, mirror and comb symbols. The third stone is a Pictish Cross-slab with a ring cross on the front and a particularly good hunting scene on the back. Above are the Crescent and V-rod and double-disc symbols and below a Centaur and David and his emblems. The Cross-slab in the Kirkyard stands on the west side of the church. The front has an impressive quadrilobate cross and the beautiful decoration is heavily influenced by Northumbrian art of the late 7th/early 8th centuries. The reverse has a magnificent battle scene which is thought to portray the battle of Dun Nechtan or Nectansmere of 685 AD when Brude MacDerile defeated the Northumbrian King Ecfrith and his army. The slab ably depicts Pictish and Northumbrian cavalry, Pictish infantry and a dying Northumbrian being pecked by a Raven.
- Map ref:
- NO522558
- Directions:
- On the B9134 Forfar.
- Open:
- Apr - Oct, boxed during the winter
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
4. White Caterthun Hill Fort
This oval fort situated on the western summit of the hills between Menmuir and Lethnot, with the Brown Caterthun Hill Fort occupying the eastern summit. Two massive stone walls protect the main fort, but there are two more lines of defence which are clearly visible. The entrance is at the east end and within the hill fort at the west end the site of the well is noticeable. At the base of the western ramparts is a huge cup marked stone. Both forts are likely to have been in use in Pictish times.
- Map ref:
- NO547660
- Directions:
- 6.5km east of Inchbare off the B966.
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
5. Edzell Castle
Displayed in the summer-house is a fragment of a small free-standing cross, decorated with key pattern and interlace. The cross was found in the nearby old Kirkyard (map ref: NO583687), and dates to the early 9th century.
The remains of the old parish church, now known as the Lindsay Burial Vault stand in the kirkyard. They have recently been restored and are well worth a visit.
- Map ref:
- NO585692
- Directions:
- 1.6K N of Edzell off the Edzell-Lethnot Road.
- Open:
- Apr - Sep: Daily 9.30am - 6.30pm Oct - Mar: Mon-Wed & Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm, Thur 9.30am - 12pm; Closed Thursday afternoon. Fri - Sun 2pm - 4.30pm
- Admission:
- Adult £2.80 Child £1 Conc. £2
- Tel:
- 01356 648631
6. Tarfside, Glenesk
Lies on the south side of the track leading westward from the Episcopal Church. This simple cross is incised upon a rugged glacial boulder and is known as Drostan's Cross. Many sites in the Edzell and Glenesk area are associated with this saint who preached the gospel here during the late sixth and early seventh centuries.
- Map ref:
- NO484798
- Directions:
- Park at Tarfside village and follow track due west.
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
7. Montrose Museum
Two stones are on display, which are originally from the old Kirkyard of Inchbrayock. No. 1 has a fine Celtic Cross on the front and a Samson and Delilah scene, with a hunting scene and Samson slaying a Philistine on the reverse. Often known as the "Samson Stone", this and the other fragment with its two Eaglemen date to the late 9th or 10th centuries.
- Map ref:
- NO77577
- Directions:
- East of town centre in easy walking distance, in Panmure Place.
- Open:
- Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm Closed 25 - 26 Dec, 1-2 Jan
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01674 673232
8. St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans is the Latin form of St. Fechin, an Irish churchman who died in 664 AD. No fewer than 34 carved stones from the Early Christian period have been found in St. Vigeans Churchyard, ranging in date from the 7th to the 11th centuries. Perhaps the earliest is a simple cross which lies at the side door of the church, while some 31 are displayed in the converted cottage. Six of the stones bear Pictish symbols, the most complete of which also has the famous inscription in Hiberno-Saxon text "Drosten ire vor et ett forcus" and is widely known as the "Drosten" stone. The stone dates to the mid 9th century and may be the memorial stone of the Pictish King Uuroid Mac. Most of the other stones are of the early Scottish type with one Norse hogback.
- Map ref:
- NO638429
- Directions:
- A933 Arbroath to Friockheim, St. Vigeans signposted on right 2km from Arbroath town centre
- Open:
- Apr - Sep, 9.30am - 6pm, Key keeper arrangements.
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01241 873858 (Historic Scotland)
9. Arbirlot Manse
Stands in the new manse garden, just off the road from Arbirlot to Kelly road. This stone was discovered in the foundations of Arbirlot Church in 1852. It was probably recumbent, and although originally thought to be Pictish, probably dates to about 1100 AD. Two equal-armed crosses set in circles and two open books - probably bibles are depicted and they strongly suggest that the stone commemorates an ecclesiastic. A Celtic Culdee Community survived here until at least 1230 AD.
- Map ref:
- NO602405
- Directions:
- Off the B9127 Arbroath Road.
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01241 875118
10. Dundee Museum
Displayed in the museum are a number of stones from Angus, including the fine symbol stones from Aberlemno and Strathmartine. Part of a cross slab from Tealing, a recumbent from Strathmartine and a late cross slab from Benvie are also on view.
- Map ref:
- NO403306
- Directions:
- Albert Square, Dundee DD1 1DA
- Open:
- Mon 10.30am - 5pm, Thurs 10.30am - 7pm, Sun 12.30pm - 4pm
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01382 432084
11. Tealing Soutterain
Soutterains or earth-houses are thought to be storage constructions and are usually associated with a surface settlement in good agricultural areas. Angus has a fair number, and the Tealing one is a good example to visit. By the entrance is a fine example of a cup and ring marked stone, which has probably been re-used. Souterrains appear to have been deliberately filled in early in the third century and this seems to coincide with Roman campaigns in the area.
- Map ref:
- NO413382
- Directions:
- Close to Balgay off the A90.
- Open:
- All year.
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
12. Keillor
A fine example of a Pictish symbol stone. Although much weathered, a double-disc and Z rod can be made out clearly, and above this is the figure of a Brown Bear, a rare depiction on Pictish Stones.
- Map ref:
- NO273397
- Directions:
- Between Newtyle and Coupar Angus
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
13. Meigle Museum
Over 30 sculptured stones have been discovered at Meigle, all in or by the Parish Church of St. Peter. Like St. Vigeans, this collection is simply unmissable and has a range of sculpture from the 8th to the 11th centuries. The standard of carving on no. 2 is simply superb and contains the wonderful Daniel in the Lions Den scene.
The lions are perhaps the best portrayed of their kind in early mediaeval art in Europe. Like St. Vigeans there are also fine examples of the Norse-inspired hogbacks.
- Map ref:
- NO287445
- Directions:
- In Meigle Village, adjacent to the Parish Church
- Open:
- Apr - Nov, Mon - Sat, 9.30am - 6pm, Sun, 2pm - 4pm
- Admission:
- £2 Child 75p, reduced £1.50
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
14. Eassie Church
This fine Pictish Cross-slab is now behind a glass screen within the ruins of the old church. The richly decorated cross is flanked by a hunter with this two hunting dogs and their prey, a magnificent Red Deer Stag. The reverse has Pictish 'beast' and 'double disc and X-rod' symbols and three scenes. At the top is a temptation scene with Adam and an apple tree, in the middle are three robed men in procession and at the bottom are three cattle.
- Map ref:
- NO353474
- Directions:
- Access to the church is by means of the sign-posted farm road leading off the A94 Forfar - Coupar Angus road
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
15. Lintrathen Church
A fragment of a cross slab was discovered in 1884 and is now built into the church wall just above the vestry door. The cross was thought to be St. Medan's, the saint connected with Lintrathen Church and the nearby parish kirks of Airlie and Kingoldrum. At Kingoldrum, three Pictish Stones and a Celtic bell were discovered, and these are no in the museum of Scotland. At Airlie, there is a mediaeval stone effigy of St. Medan.
- Map ref:
- NO285545
- Directions:
- Off the B951 Kirriemuir to Glenisla Road
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
16. Kirriemuir Gateway
Although most of the Pictish and Early Scottish Sculptured Stones discovered at Kirriemuir are now on display in the Meffan, Forfar, one, no 18, the most recent discovery is on display here. The Parish Church, dedicated to St. Mary, probably dates to the early 9th century, and the oval shape of the kirkyard is still well preserved, virtually adjacent to the museum.
- Map ref:
- NO386539
- Directions:
- High Street, Kirriemuir
- Open:
- All year, Mon - Wed, Fri - Sat, 10am - 5pm, Thu, 1pm - 5pm
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01575 575479
17. Cossans, Glamis
Known as St. Orland's Stone, this beautiful Pictish Cross-slab probably marks the site of an ancient chapel., burials having been found here during the 19th century. Faced by an intricately decorated ring-cross, the back of the slab bears the familiar Crescent and V-rod and double-disc and Z-rod symbols above a hunting scene and a unique Pictish depiction of a boat.
- Map ref:
- NO401500
- Directions:
- Reached by taking the Cossans farm road, east off the A928 Glamis - Kirriemuir road
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
18. Glamis Manse
A magnificent Pictish Cross-slab with a highly decorated cross. Flanking the shaft are representations of cauldrons, one with human legs projecting from it and two fighting warriors. The reverse has incised symbols of the adder, salmon and mirror. Four other fragments may be seen in Glamis Church, the largest being the remains of a cross-slab with part of the shaft flanked with human and animal figures. A smaller cross-slab fragment bears part of an interlaced cross-shaft, and another fragment has the "concertina symbol" inscribed.
- Map ref:
- NO385468
- Directions:
- Stands in the Manse garden adjacent to the village church
- Open:
- All year Admission:By prior arrangement.
- Tel:
- 01307 840206
19. Hunter's Hill, Thornton, Glamis
This Pictish Cross-slab has a decorated cross on the front with angels flanking its head. The reverse is very worn but a fine snake or adder symbol can still be clearly seen. Legend has it that Malcolm II was killed here and that this stone marks the spot, but the King died in 1034 AD some two centuries after the slab was fashioned.
- Map ref:
- NO394465
- Directions:
- Reached by following a track off the A94 to Forfar, just opposite the exit from Glamis.
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Please phone prior to visit, as access may be limited during the shooting season.
- Tel:
- 01307 840242
20. Restenneth Priory
Ruined Restenneth Priory lies at the heart of ancient Pictland. Royal connections are seen in the choice of Restenneth by King Robert Bruce as the last resting place of Prince John, his beloved young son. The current ruins are those of the 12th century Augustinian priory. The choir and nave are 13th century, though the lower part of the tower may be 11th century. Among the lands owned by Restenneth was "Egglespether": the Church of Peter, probably the one founded by Nechtan, King of Picts 706-724 AD.
- Map ref:
- NO482516
- Directions:
- On B9113 Forfar to Montrose road, 2km out of Forfar.
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 0131 668 8600 (Historic Scotland)
21. Dunnichen Battle Cairn
The Battle Cairn was built in 1985 to commemorate the 1300 anniversary of the battle of Dunnichen or Nechtansmere. A replica of the Dunnichen stands nearby, the original now located in the Meffan, Forfar. It was found on the nearby farm of West Mains of Dunnichen in 1805. Dunnichen Church was dedicated to St. Causnan, in whose honour a well was named to the rear of the church. It was renamed Camperdown Well. St. Causnan's flaw is a blast of snow usually received on 11 March, St. Causnan's day.
- Map ref:
- NO508487
- Directions:
- Beside Dunnichen Church, off the A958 Forfar to Carnoustie Road
- Open:
- All year
- Admission:
- Free Dunnichen Hill Preservation Society care for the site.
22. The Meffan
The Meffan is a Museum and exhibition centre which houses a fine collection of stones, mainly from Kirriemuir. Five cross-slabs, originally discovered in 1797 are on display as well as a further 12 fragments excavated in 1995.
Cross slabs from Kirkbuddo and Wester Denoon are also on display, the latter of which portrays a woman complete with mirror and comb symbols and a fine pennanular brooch. Pride of place, however, is reserved for the Dunnichen Symbol Stone, discovered in 1805 nearby the village of Dunnichen.
- Map ref:
- NO455506
- Directions:
- West High Street, Forfar, in town centre, parking nearby at Myre Car Park is free
- Open:
- Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm Closed 25 - 26 Dec, 1 - 2 Jan
- Admission:
- Free
- Tel:
- 01307 464123/467017