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The Brandsbutt Stone, pieced back together, its symbols and line of Ogham on the grey whinstone.
Aberdeenshire

The Brandsbutt Stone

A Pictish stone in Inverurie carved with symbols and a line of Ogham, pieced back together.

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Welcome

The Brandsbutt Stone stands in a small enclosure among the houses on the north-west side of Inverurie, and it has survived a good deal.

It is a Class I Pictish stone of whinstone, carved with two of the Picts' symbols: a crescent crossed by a V-shaped rod, above a serpent crossed by a Z-shaped rod. At some point it was broken up with explosives, and the pieces have since been gathered and set back together.

What makes it special is the writing. Down its left side runs an inscription in Ogham, the alphabet of strokes and notches cut along an edge, reading IRATADDOARENS. It is thought to name Eddarrnon, which may be St Ethernan, a saint with a following in this part of the country.

It takes a few minutes to see, and it is well worth pairing with the Maiden Stone under Bennachie and the Garioch Heritage Centre in the town.

A short drive awayThe FoghouseA quiet whisky, wine and coffee bar in Inverurie with over 400 whiskies by the dram.5 min by roadSee itThe front of the Foghouse on Market Place, Inverurie.
Before you go

In a small enclosure among the houses of Inverurie.

Free at any time.

Where
Inverurie.
Entry
Free.
Where it is

Inverurie.

Close byAround Inverurie.
  1. Dreamy Goat Coffee's white cottage front on North Street, Inverurie.Dreamy Goat Coffee Co.Under a mile2 min by road
  2. The brick front of the Garioch Heritage Centre with its tall blue doors, in the old locomotive works.Garioch Heritage CentreThe story of the north-east told in a converted building of the old Inverurie locomotive works.1 mile4 min by road
  3. Belvoir Farm elderflower, Perelló olives, baguette and salami on a checked tableclothThe Kilted Frog Delicatessen2 miles4 min by road
  4. Weathered standing stones in a circle overlooking fields and distant hillsEast Aquhorthies Stone Circle3 miles9 min by road
  5. White gabled building with red door, sign reading "Old Post Office" above windowsOld Post Office Tea Room3 miles6 min by road
Directions
The front of the Foghouse on Market Place, Inverurie.BarsThe Foghouse1.7 miles
Carved stone panels and fragments laid along a shelf against the rubble wall of Kinkell Church.AttractionsKinkell Church3.5 miles
The tall red granite Maiden Stone under Bennachie, its carving worn by weather.AttractionsThe Maiden Stone4.3 miles
Two pink soft-serve cones held up under the neon sign at Barra Berries.CafeBarra Berries4.7 miles
The ring of standing stones at Loanhead of Daviot round its low central cairn, trees behind.AttractionsLoanhead of Daviot Stone Circle5.2 miles
The whitewashed buildings and tall chimney of Glen Garioch Distillery in Oldmeldrum.AttractionsGlen Garioch Distillery5.5 miles
Meldrum House's turrets seen through trees, heather in the foreground.AttractionsMeldrum House Hotel6.2 miles
A plate of toast, eggs, beans and chips at Café 83 in Kemnay.CafeCafé 836.9 miles
Marshall's restaurant, timber tables in a bright room of brick and stone.CafeMarshall's Farm Shop7.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near The Brandsbutt Stone, and when each is next free.

A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.Gate Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from The Brandsbutt Stone
Check datesA triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.Midpark
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from The Brandsbutt Stone
Free 27–29 OctA stone cottage with a slated roof and a blue front door, climbing roses in pink and white flanking the porch.Butlers Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 19 miles from The Brandsbutt Stone
Free 17–19 OctA grey stone cottage with dormer windows and a black front door, climbing roses either side, set behind a lawn.Bailies Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from The Brandsbutt Stone
Free 26–28 OctPlaces 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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