Pictish places
Aberlemno Sculptured Stones
Discover Pictish symbols and Christian sculpture in Angus, following the story beyond the end of Roman Britain.
Aberlemno’s stones belong broadly to the centuries between AD 500 and 800. They are early medieval monuments, later than Roman government in Britain, and show why the Picts’ history deserves to continue beyond accounts of frontier warfare.
The northern roadside stone, Aberlemno I, bears a serpent, a double disc and Z-rod, and mirror and comb motifs. Other carvings include Christian crosses, animals and a battle scene. Their imagery belongs to different monuments and should not be combined into one supposed message.
The churchyard battle has been linked with Nechtansmere in AD 685, but that identification and the battle’s location are debated. The stones are protected during winter, and conservation can affect which are visible. Check the official notice before travelling; Aberlemno III has been away for conservation following storm damage.
What to look for
- Compare the outline symbols on Aberlemno I with the relief carving on a cross-slab.
- Check which stone a photograph shows before writing its caption.
- View the carvings without touching, rubbing or adding chalk.
Plan a visit
Use the official information below for current opening, admission, access and any closures. Details can change with the season. A site plan is useful both before a visit and when reading the remains on the ground.
Sources and further reading
Romans in Britain · People · Places · Learning resources