Pictish Sea Horses

Just over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity The prime purpose of these carvings was to display symbolic messages about their society, but these once public statements are now most secret. In their strongholds north of the Antonine wall the Picts resisted the Roman legions only succumbing much later to the Scots in the mid-9th century AD.
The Sea horses are from the 8th century Pictish cross in Aberlemno, Angus, Scotland.

Burghead Bull

The Burghead Bulls were discovered in the 19th century when excavations took place in the old harbour. Around thirty Bulls were found, unfortunately only six Bulls remain. They are unusual in Pictish art in that they appear as a single carving on the stone. Some suggestions that they were votive offerings to the Gods of the sea

Pictish Salmon

Just over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity, The prime purpose of these carvings was to display symbolic messages about their society, but these once public statements are now most secret. In their strongholds north of the Antonine wall the Picts resisted the Roman legions only succumbing much later to the Scots in the mid-9th century AD.
The fish is probably a salmon and is incised into the stone, it is from Roseisle, in Morayshire and dates from the 7th century.

Pictish Goose

Over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity, but they left behind, as a silent witness to their existence, a remarkable series of sculptured stones. These symbols - animal and geometric designs - are generally found in pairs on upright stones scattered over the landscape from Fife all the way up the East coast of Scotland

Pictish Kelpie

Just over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity. The prime purpose of these carvings was to display symbolic messages about their society, but these once public statements are now most secret. In their strongholds north of the Antonine wall the Picts resisted the Roman legions only succumbing much later to the Scots in the mid-9th century AD.
This creature is very significant to Pictish art in that it appears on many of the sculptured stones. It may have been part of the folk lore and mythology.

Pictish Cat

Over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity, but they left behind, as a silent witness to their existence, a remarkable series of sculptured stones. These symbols - animal and geometric designs- are generally found in pairs on upright stones scattered over the landscape from Fife all the way up the East coast of Scotland.

Four Men Entwined, Meigle

Just over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity. The prime purpose of these carvings was to display symbolic messages about their society, but these once public statements are now most secret. In their strongholds north of the Antonine wall the Picts resisted the Roman legions only succumbing much later to the Scots in the mid-9th century AD.
These four men entwined hold on to each others foot is typical of Celtic art and you find similar images from the High crosses in Ireland. This appears on a recumbent stone in Meigle, Perthshire 8th C.

Sea Goddess Meigle

Just over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity. The prime purpose of these carvings was to display symbolic messages about their society, but these once public statements are now most secret. In their strongholds north of the Antonine wall the Picts resisted the Roman legions only succumbing much later to the Scots in the mid-9th century AD.
The image carved on this stone is from Meigle, Perthshire and dates from the 8th century. It may have been used as part of a doorway to a building for worship to such water deities.

Pictish Boar from Dunadd

Incised carved boar in Pictish style with raised hackles, emphasising the courage and ferocity of the animal. This carving on Dunadd is unusual as the Picts lived in Eastern Scotland, from Fife to Shetland. It is thought to date from the 8th century AD.

Pictish warrior with drinking horn

Over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity, but they left behind, as a silent witness to their existence, a remarkable series of sculptured stones. These symbols - animal and geometric designs - are generally found in pairs on upright stones scattered over the landscape from Fife all the way up the East coast of Scotland.

Three Pictish Warriors

Each warrior holds a spear and shield, one may be of higher rank (far right) as he wears more decorative hair style and fringe to the lower edge of his tunic. Brough of Birsay, Orkney 8th C.

Pictish Wolf

Over a thousand years ago the Picts, an early Celtic people, disappeared as a distinctive entity, but they left behind, as a silent witness to their existence, a remarkable series of sculptured stones. These symbols - animal and geometric designs - are generally found in pairs on upright stones scattered over the landscape from Fife all the way up the East coast of Scotland.

Macdonald Lord of the Isles

On the Chief's death his galley was often sculptured on the tombstone. Some of the galleys were carved in full sail and facing Westwards. In Clan folklore the "Land of the ever young" (Tir-nan-Og) lay beneath the setting sun and a galley sailing west symbolised the soul of the Chief sailing towards Eternal Life. Galleys having their sails furled and facing east or West had the same meaning - The soul had reached Eternity.
(After The Celtic Art of Iona by Iain Mac Cormick - New Iona Press, 1994).

St Columba's Galley (AD 521-597)

Around AD 563 Columba, a member of Ireland's most powerful royal dynasty, the Uí Néill (O'Neils), founded the famous abbey of Iona on the small island of that name off the west coast of Scotland. Over the following centuries Iona, as the focus for the influential cult of St Columba, developed into a spiritual and artistic centre of the first order. The famous illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells was probably produced at Iona in this period. Iona's St John's Cross, with its very wide arm-span, may have been the first free-standing ringed cross.

St Columba's Pillow AD 521-597

Around AD 563 Columba, a member of Ireland's most powerful royal dynasty, the Uí Néill (O'Neils), founded the famous abbey of Iona on the small island of that name off the west coast of Scotland. The famous illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells was probably produced at Iona in this period. This oval stone with a raised ringed cross is known as St Columba's pillow and dates to the 7th century AD

Cross of Gilion 7th Century

Grave marker with old Irish inscription "pray for the soul of Gilion"
The famous abbey of Iona was founded in AD 563 on the small island of that name off the west coast of Scotland. Over the following centuries Iona became the focus for the influential cult of St Columba. The famous illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells was probably produced at Iona in this period. Iona's St John's Cross, with its very wide arm-span, may have been the first free-standing ringed cross.

Declaration Of Arbroath

Was written on sixth of April 1320 by the, abbot Bernard de Linton when the Estates of Scotland met to declare Scotland's independence of the English crown, sending a letter to Pope John XXII acknowledging Robert the Bruce as King. It was not until 1328 that England's Edward the III fell in line.
Robert the Bruce died in 1329, possibly of leprosy, his body was buried at Dunfermline Abbey, but his heart was said to have been buried at Melrose Abbey.

Second Great Seal of Robert I (the Bruce)

King of Scotland 1306-1329 The King is on horseback in mail with crowned helmet; the right hand holds a sword, the left hand the reins; the shield on the left arm bears the Royal coat of arms that appear again on the horse's caparisons, which are flowing and cover only the root of the tail.
The inscription round the Seal reads,
ROBERTVS:DEO:RECTORES: REX:SCOTORVM
Robert under God's Governance King of Scots

Dupplin Cross

This image of a man sitting on a bird-headed chair and playing a large harp probably represents the Old Testament king David. This type of harp, with a triangular frame and straight sides, is found on a number of Pictish stones, and is believed to have been invented in Pictland. It is one of several images on the magnificent free-standing cross which until recently stood in a field at Dupplin near the Pictish royal palace of Forteviot, Perthshire.
The cross is now on view at St Serf's Kirk, Dunning, Perthshire 8th C

Maes Howe dragon

The incised carving of a dragon is a mid 12th-century AD Norse graffito. The tomb was raided on at least two occasions by the Norse, who left witty inscriptions and doodles carved on the chamber walls.
Maes Howe burial cairn is the finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe and dates from between about 3000 to 2500 BC.