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Rodney's Stone standing in a small wattle-fenced enclosure on the lawn by the drive to Brodie Castle, a walker passing.
Morayshire

Rodney’s Stone

A tall Pictish cross-slab of grey sandstone standing beside the drive to Brodie Castle, carved with a cross, serpents and Pictish symbols.

Welcome

Just inside the gates of Brodie Castle, beside the long drive, stands a slab of grey sandstone almost six feet tall, carved on both faces.

It is a Pictish cross-slab, and it has had an unsettled life.

Workmen found it in 1781, digging the foundations of a new church at the village of Dyke, where it had probably stood by the old medieval church. The following year the villagers set it up to celebrate Admiral Rodney's victory over the French at the Battle of the Saints, and his name stuck to it; though some say it is really named after Rotteny, a gravedigger said to have unearthed it. Before 1842 it was moved to Brodie.

On one face is a cross, with a serpent on either side; on the other, the mysterious symbols of the Picts, among them a strange beast. It is free to see, with room to pull in on the drive, and the castle itself is a few minutes further on.

A short drive awayCafe 1496A busy cafe on Forres High Street serving breakfast all day, every day, with locally roasted coffee and home bakes.6 min by roadSee itCafe 1496 on Forres High Street, a white shopfront with gold lettering, a wreath on the door and blue tables outside.
Before you go

The stone stands just inside the entrance to the Brodie Castle grounds, beside the drive, and can be seen at any time, free, with a pull-in to park.

Where
Beside the drive to Brodie Castle, near Forres, IV36 2WT.
Height
Almost six feet.
Found
1781, at Dyke.
Where it is

Beside the drive into Brodie Castle, off the A96 west of Forres.

Close byForres.
  1. Turreted castle with crow-stepped gables overlooking a striped lawn and gravel driveThe Playful GardenUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Culbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin EdgeForest and sands along the coast.2 miles5 min by road
  3. ULY + RO, ForresAn independent shop of design-led homeware and gifts on Forres High Street.4 miles6 min by road
  4. Sueno’s StoneSueno’s StoneThe tallest Pictish stone of all, in Forres.5 miles8 min by road
  5. Brodie CastleBrodie CastleThe castle at the end of the drive.13 miles33 min by road
Directions
Cafe 1496 on Forres High Street, a white shopfront with gold lettering, a wreath on the door and blue tables outside.CafeCafe 14963.8 miles
White castellated tower on a hilltop path lined with bare winter treesAttractionsNelson's Tower4.3 miles
Brown signpost reading "Sluie Walk" surrounded by ferns and woodlandAttractionsSluie Walk6.2 miles
A curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.MorayshireBoath CabinSleeps 4 · 6.4 miles
Grassy dunes border a wide sandy beach with walkers near the shorelineAttractionsNairn7.3 miles
Long stone pier stretches into the sea beyond a grassy duneAttractionsNairn Beach7.6 miles
Wooden houses with red-framed windows line a quiet coastal laneAttractionsFindhorn Ecovillage7.8 miles
SPÈ Atelier, MorayshireShoppingSPÈ Atelier8.3 miles
Visitors walk past a stable block with clock tower and Saltire flagAttractionsLogie Steading8.3 miles
Stay nearby

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

Culbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Morayshire
  • A mile from Rodney's Stone
Free 9–11 NovA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Morayshire
  • 5 miles from Rodney's Stone
Free 16–18 OctThe timber cabin lit at dusk against a pink sky, a hot tub steaming on the deck beside two chairs.Callie Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Morayshire
  • 10 miles from Rodney's Stone
Free 16–18 OctLiving room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 19 miles from Rodney's Stone
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in MorayshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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