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A carved stone cross slab with interlacing knotwork, birch trees and a metal fence behind
Aberdeenshire

Kinord Cross Pictish Stone

A carved Pictish cross slab of the 8th or 9th century by Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet, its ringed cross covered in knotwork and spirals.

Welcome

On the north side of Loch Kinord, among the birches and bracken of the Muir of Dinnet, a tall carved slab stands inside a little railed enclosure.

Carved across its face in low relief is a great ringed cross, its arms squared off, the whole surface filled with interlacing knotwork and spirals. It was cut by the Picts in the 8th or 9th century, when Christianity had taken hold among them.

The stone has travelled. In the mid-1800s it stood on a rise by the loch, and later that century it was carried off to the grounds of Aboyne Castle and set up in a little oak wood. In 1959 it was brought home and set up again close to where it had first stood.

The paths of the nature reserve lead to it from the Burn o' Vat and around the loch, and the stone makes a good goal for a walk.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A short drive awayKnock Castle12 min by roadSee itKnock Castle
Before you go

Free, at any time.

The cross stands in a railed enclosure by the path along the north side of Loch Kinord, in the Muir of Dinnet reserve.

Where
By Loch Kinord, Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, near Dinnet.
Carved
The 8th or 9th century.

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Where it is

On the north side of Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, between Dinnet and Ballater.

Close byDinnet.
  1. Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, AboyneMuir of Dinnet National Nature ReserveUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Burn O’Vat, AboyneBurn o’ VatA round pothole chamber carved by ice-age meltwater.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Cambus o’ May Suspension BridgeCambus o’ May Suspension BridgeA white Edwardian footbridge over the Dee.2 miles 3 min by road
  4. Loch KinordLoch KinordA loch of islands and old stones in the Muir of Dinnet.4 miles 7 min by road
  5. Old gravestones in the round kirkyard at Tullich among trees, the ruined kirk wall behind.Tullich Kirkyard and its carved stonesTwenty-seven early carved stones in the old kirkyard at Tullich, east of Ballater.5 miles 6 min by road
  6. Rows of cupcakes topped with swirled icing and Lotus biscuits on a cooling rackTarland Tearooms5 miles 7 min by road
Directions
Lichen-covered standing stones in a row across open farmlandAttractionsTomnaverie Stone Circle4.8 miles
Two white gliders on the grass of Aboyne airfield, the Deeside hills beyond.ActivityDeeside Gliding Club6.0 miles
The Strong Water Co, AberdeenshireShoppingThe Strong Water Co6.2 miles
ÖSLEY's granite front on Bridge Street, Ballater, a navy sign above the door.ShoppingÖSLEY6.2 miles
Cappuccino and sliced cake on a wooden table in a caféCafeBridge House Café6.2 miles
The Albert Memorial Hall, with a red telephone box outside its turreted stone facadeRestaurantsLunch and a Wander in Ballater6.3 miles
Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireRestaurantsFish Shop Restaurant6.3 miles
The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.ShoppingDeeside Deli & Garden Shop6.3 miles
Stone arched bridge crossing a river below forested hills in autumnAttractionsBallater6.3 miles

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Stay nearby

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

Woodend
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glen Tanar
  • 4 miles from the Kinord Cross
Free 11–14 NovWest Millfield
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Glen Tanar
  • 4 miles from the Kinord Cross
Free 1–4 NovA stone gate lodge with steep gables and green-framed windows sits beside a stone boundary wall, a planter of flowers by the green door.Joiner’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Aboyne
  • 4 miles from the Kinord Cross
Free 11–14 NovA round metal garden table with two chairs stands on a lawn beside a bottle of wine and glasses, pink flowering shrubs and a green-framed conservatory behind.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glen Tanar
  • 4 miles from the Kinord Cross
Free 10–13 NovPlaces 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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