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The Picardy Stone standing in its field near Insch, a rough whinstone slab.
Aberdeenshire

The Picardy Stone

A Pictish symbol stone still standing where it was raised, over a grave, outside Insch.

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The Picardy Stone is one of very few Pictish symbol stones still standing in the place where it was first raised, in a field just outside Insch.

It is a rough slab of whinstone shot through with veins of white quartz, and cut into its face are three of the symbols the Picts left all over this country: a double disc crossed by a Z-shaped rod, a serpent with its own Z-rod, and a mirror.

Nobody knows for certain what the symbols meant. There is a clue here, though. When the ground round the stone was dug in 1856 it was found set in a low cairn, and beneath the cairn lay a grave, so the stone seems to have marked a burial.

It stands in farmland, often with cattle or sheep in the field, so close the gates. There is room for only a car or two on the roadside. Dunnideer's hilltop castle is a few minutes away, and the two make a good hour in the Garioch.

A short drive awayMorgan McVeigh'sA country restaurant at Colpy with a full Scottish breakfast and a view to Bennachie.15 min by roadSee itThe timber-roofed dining room at Morgan McVeigh's, tables by tall windows.
Before you go

In farmland, often with livestock: close the gates.

Room for a car or two on the roadside.

Where
Near Insch.
Parking
Roadside, a car or two.
Where it is

Insch.

Close byAround Insch.
  1. The broken tower of Dunnideer Castle, a great window through it, on the grassy top of the hill.Dunnideer CastleA broken castle wall of around 1260 on a hilltop ringed by a fort of fused stone.3 miles10 min by road
  2. Leith Hall, pale harled walls and turrets, above its gravel drive.Leith HallA quirky National Trust house of 1650, seen by guided tour, with a hidden-gem garden.6 miles19 min by road
  3. The tall red granite Maiden Stone under Bennachie, its carving worn by weather.The Maiden StoneA tall red granite Pictish cross-slab under Bennachie, carved with beasts, a cross and spirals.8 miles17 min by road
  4. White gabled building with red door, sign reading "Old Post Office" above windowsOld Post Office Tea Room9 miles18 min by road
  5. A Pictish stone at Rhynie, its incised symbols faint on the pink granite.Rhynie Pictish StonesThree carved Pictish stones by the old kirkyard at Rhynie, under Tap o' Noth.10 miles24 min by road
Directions
The timber-roofed dining room at Morgan McVeigh's, tables by tall windows.RestaurantsMorgan McVeigh's6.0 miles
The red front of the Dean's building on Depot Road in Huntly under its name.CafeDean's of Huntly9.8 miles
Ruined stone castle towers rise above autumn trees and a grassy pathAttractionsHuntly Castle9.8 miles
The roofless kirk of St Mary at Auchindoir among its gravestones and trees.AttractionsSt Mary's Church, Auchindoir12 miles
The cone of the Mither Tap rising above forest and fields.AttractionsBennachie12 miles
Visitors among a steam engine and old cars in the Grampian Transport Museum.AttractionsGrampian Transport Museum13 miles
Tall copper pot stills in the stillhouse at the GlenDronach Distillery.AttractionsThe GlenDronach Distillery13 miles
The ring of standing stones at Loanhead of Daviot round its low central cairn, trees behind.AttractionsLoanhead of Daviot Stone Circle13 miles
Two little green engines of the Alford Valley Railway with red buffers, outside the engine shed.AttractionsAlford Valley Railway15 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near The Picardy 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
  • 11 miles from The Picardy 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
  • 11 miles from The Picardy 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
  • 11 miles from The Picardy 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
  • 11 miles from The Picardy 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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