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The carved Pictish cross-slab in Aberlemno kirkyard, covered in interlace.
Aberdeenshire

Aberlemno Pictish Stones

Four carved Pictish stones in the village of Aberlemno near Forfar, three by the roadside and one in the kirkyard, carved between about AD 500 and 800, one thought to show the Battle of Nechtansmere.

Welcome

In the farming village of Aberlemno, among the fields north-east of Forfar, stand four of the finest carved stones the Picts left behind.

Three are by the roadside, set against a drystone wall; the fourth stands in the kirkyard, a short walk down the lane. They were carved between about AD 500 and 800.

The roadside stones mix the Picts' mysterious symbols, a serpent, a crescent, a double disc and a mirror and comb, with a great cross-slab covered in angels, interlace and a hunting scene. The kirkyard stone is the most famous of all: on its back, in rows of little figures, horsemen and foot soldiers meet in battle, thought to be the Battle of Nechtansmere, fought four miles away in 685, when the Picts defeated the Northumbrian king Ecgfrith.

The stones are delicate, and from the end of September to the start of April they are boxed in against the frost, so spring and summer are the time to come.

A short drive awayRestenneth PrioryA ruined priory with one of Scotland's oldest towers.10 min by roadSee itRoofless stone walls and wall tombs enclose a grassy ruined church interior
Before you go

Free.

The stones are boxed in for the winter, from the end of September to the start of April, and are on view through the spring and summer. Park by the roadside stones or at the kirk.

Where
Aberlemno, on the B9134 six miles north-east of Forfar, DD8 3TE.
On view
Early April to the end of September.
Where it is

In the village of Aberlemno, on the B9134 between Forfar and Brechin.

Close byAngus.
  1. The stone front of the Meffan Museum on West High Street, Forfar.Meffan Museum & Art GalleryForfar's museum and art gallery on West High Street, with a gallery of Pictish stones, an old cobbled street and changing art exhibitions.5 miles9 min by road
  2. Church nave with wooden pews facing a stained glass window and organ pipesBrechin CathedralA cathedral with an Irish-style round tower.6 miles9 min by road
  3. Green sign reading "Garden Centre Coffee Shop" above a shop entrance with £1 pounder displaysBrechin Castle CentreA garden centre, coffee shop and seventy-acre country park at Haughmuir on the edge of Brechin, open every day.6 miles8 min by road
  4. Forfar CastleThe hill where Forfar's royal castle stood, its old market cross now a lookout tower.6 miles10 min by road
  5. Sandstone mansion with columned entrance, chimneys and flag against a cloudy skyHouse of DunA Georgian house by William Adam above the Montrose Basin.11 miles18 min by road
Directions
Roofless stone walls and wall tombs enclose a grassy ruined church interiorAttractionsRestenneth Priory5.0 miles
The green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.AttractionsCaledonian Railway6.0 miles
Deep summer borders of flowers in the walled garden at Pitmuies.AttractionsPitmuies Gardens6.3 miles
The stone buildings and pagoda-roofed kiln of Glencadam Distillery, Brechin.AttractionsGlencadam Distillery6.4 miles
The River South Esk running clear over rocks between wooded banks.AttractionsRiver South Esk6.6 miles
Two donkeys standing side by side in a fenced field with buttercupsAttractionsMurton Farm & Nature Reserve7.2 miles
Stone arched bridge spanning a wide river beneath a cloudy blue skyAttractionsBridge of Dun10 miles
Red box of assorted sweets from Star Rock Shop, including humbugs, tablet and candy canesShoppingThe Star Rock Shop11 miles
Uniforms and helmets along a corridor in the Tayside Police Museum.AttractionsTayside Police Museum11 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the stones, and when each is next free.

Nàdair, AngusNàdair
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 13 miles from Aberlemno
Free 4–6 DecPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go.