Aberlemno Sculptured Stones, Scotland
Aberlemno Kirkyard in Angus, Scotland is known for its collection of ancient standing stones with intricate Pictish carvings.
The Aberlemno Standing Stones are a group of four stones, three stand on a roadside, while one stands in the village churchyard.
Each stone has its own unique carvings, and they are believed to date back to the Pictish period, roughly from the 6th to the 9th century AD.
One of the prominent stones at Aberlemno Kirkyard is the Aberlemno 2 stone, pictured below.
This stone is intricately carved with Pictish symbols and scenes, including warriors, a battle, and a double-disc and Z-rod symbol.
The top row has an unhelmeted figure on horseback riding behind a helmeted rider, possibly in pursuit.
The helmeted rider is armed with a spear and appears to have dropped his sword and shield.
The middle row has a helmeted rider armed with a spear and shield facing three unhelmeted infantry soldiers armed with spears, swords and shields.
The bottom row shows a mounted and unhelmeted figure and mounted helmeted figure facing each other, both armed with spears.
The battle scene has been interpreted in numerous ways.
It is thought to represent the Battle of Dunnichen which took place in 685 AD.
The Battle of Dun Nechtain or Battle of Nechtansmere was fought between the Picts, led by King Bridei Mac Bili, and the Northumbrians, led by King Ecgfrith, on 20 May 685.
These carvings provide valuable insights into the artistic and symbolic expressions of the Picts, who were a group of people who lived in what is now eastern and northern Scotland during the early medieval period.
The Aberlemno Standing Stones are significant archaeological and historical artifacts, shedding light on the culture, beliefs, and possibly the political events of the Picts.
Aberlemno 1
Aberlemno 1, pictured above, is the northern roadside stone.
It is an unshaped standing stone, bearing incised Pictish symbols, defining it under J Romilly Allen and Joseph Anderson's classification system as a Class I stone.
The symbols on one face: the serpent, the double disc and Z-rod and the mirror and comb, the meaning of these symbols is unknown.
They are deeply incised in a bold, confident line, and this stone is considered to be one of the finest and best-preserved Pictish symbol stones still standing in or near its original position.
Aberlemeno 3, pictured above
The western road-side stone is another Class II stone.
It has an elaborately decorated ringed cross flanked by adoring angels on one side, and a hunting scene on the reverse, below two large Pictish symbols.
This stone is known as Aberlemno 3, it stone has until recently been thought to date from the late eighth century.
More recent comparative analyses have suggested that it may be of a later, mid-ninth-century origin.
Aberlemno 3 has different proportions to the Kirkyard Cross-slab, being relatively tall and thin, with parallel sides which have incised decoration.
The monument's height and decoration on four faces both suggest it is later in date than Aberlemno 2.
Visitors to Aberlemno Kirkyard can view and appreciate these ancient stones, which are protected and preserved in their historical setting.
Seomone who recently visited the stones wrote on TripAdvisor: “Antiquity is different things to different people. I loosely define it for myself as anything over 1000 years old.
”These stones were carved in the 9th century, so they meet that description. What is amazing is how much detail has remained on most of these stones.
”It was raining when we visited but that did not dampen the experience. A must see if you're in the area.”
Another person added: “We were blown away by this little village and the treasures it contains.
”We loved it and then went for a walk up to the iron age fort on Turin Hill. Just amazing and a must see.”
Aberlemno is a lovely village to explore if you’re ever in the area.
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