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The great carved cross-slab standing in the hall of the Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum.
Perthshire

Meigle Pictish Stones

Twenty-six carved stones from the Pictish church at Meigle, from the late 700s to the late 900s, in the old village schoolhouse.

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Welcome

In the quiet village of Meigle, in the rich farmland of Strathmore, a small stone schoolhouse beside the church holds one of the most important collections of early medieval carved stone in Western Europe.

Inside are twenty-six carved stones, made between the late 700s and the late 900s, all that survives of the church at the heart of a Pictish power centre here.

The greatest is Meigle 2, a tall cross-slab of the ninth century, carved with a cross on one side and horsemen and beasts on the other. Around it stand grave-slabs and fragments crowded with Pictish symbols, hunters, riders, strange animals and birds, and on Meigle 26, a grave-marker, even naked figures.

The museum is run by Historic Environment Scotland, and opens from April to September, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
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Before you go

Open from April to September on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from ten until half past four, closed for lunch from half past twelve to one; closed from October to March.

Where
Dundee Road, Meigle, on the A94 between Coupar Angus and Forfar.
Run by
Historic Environment Scotland.

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Where it is

In the village of Meigle in Strathmore, beside the parish church.

Close byStrathmore.
  1. A bowl of orange soup with a cheese scone and a cappuccino on a red-checked tablecloth at The Joinery in Meigle.The Joinery Coffee ShopA village coffee shop in Meigle, on the Perthshire side of the Angus border and about twenty minutes by car from Dundee.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Alyth Burn running through the town between stone walls.AlythA small town of old bridges over the Alyth Burn.4 miles 6 min by road
  3. The Alyth Burn rushing over stones between autumn beeches in the Den o' Alyth.Den o' AlythA wooded glen on both sides of the Alyth Burn on the edge of Alyth, with paths under beech, oak, ash and alder along the water.4 miles 7 min by road
  4. Ruined stone gable with empty windows beside a glass-cased Pictish cross-slabThe Eassie Stone5 miles 6 min by road
  5. BlairgowrieA town of the raspberry fields on the River Ericht.8 miles 13 min by road
  6. Meikleour Beech HedgeMeikleour Beech HedgeThe tallest hedge in the world, planted in 1745.10 miles 15 min by road
Directions
The red door of Glamis Gallery among the ivy of the old cottages.ShoppingGlamis Gallery6.6 miles
Ink illustration of stone cottages with "The Bothy Experience" painted on a gable endAttractionsGin Bothy Experience6.7 miles
A beaver dam of peeled sticks holding back a pond at Bamff in early spring, a ruined steading and a timber-clad barn beyond.WalksBamff Wildland6.9 miles
Turreted castle at the end of a tree-lined driveway with flag flyingAttractionsGlamis Castle6.9 miles
The Reekie Linn pouring white into its gorge among autumn trees.AttractionsReekie Linn7.1 miles
Shelves of jams, bread and pastries at Grewar's.ShoppingGrewar's Farm Shop7.3 miles
Rusted metal pig silhouettes among the trees.ActivitySnoutAbout7.7 miles
Farm café with beamed ceiling, mismatched chairs and cakes under glass domesCafePeel Farm8.1 miles
Cargill’s Leap, PerthshireAttractionsCargill’s Leap8.4 miles

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Stay nearby

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

Nàdair, AngusNàdair
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Kirriemuir
  • 6 miles from the Meigle stones
Free 4–7 DecA stone cottage with a green door and three chimneys sits behind a lawn bordered by shrubs and flowerbeds.Fairygreen Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Kinrossie
  • 9 miles from the Meigle stones
Check datesAn aerial view shows a black timber cabin with a pitched roof set on a deck in an open field, a bath and seating area visible outside.The Cabin at Fairygreen
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Perthshire
  • 10 miles from the Meigle stones
Check datesAn aerial view of a golf green surrounded by bunkers and trees, rolling countryside stretching to the horizon.Murrayshall
  • To stay
  • In Scone
  • 14 miles from the Meigle stones
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in PerthshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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