The Picardy Stone
The Picardy Stone is an enigmatic Pictish standing stone found northwest of Insch in Aberdeenshire. My wife and I had just visited Dunnideer Castle and Stonehead Recumbent Stone to the south, so we decided to loop back to the A96 and stop to see the Picardy Stone on the way.
The stone stands in a field about halfway along Largie Road, a minor road which can be accessed from the A96 motorway via the B992.
The stone was quite easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled for it on your left if you're travelling from the A96 or on your right if you're travelling from Western Road. We parked opposite the Picardy Stone, which blocked access to a farmer's field; the stone was just meters away, so it would be easy to move on if the farmer needed access.
Just across from where we parked is a lowered fence which can be climbed over to reach the enclosure that contains the stone. Be careful not to touch the electric fence!
Pictish Stones like this really fire my imagination. Very little is known about the Picts, but these stones can be found all over the northeast. We don't really know what purpose they served. While not as old as the ancient stone circles I've written about on this website, the Picardy Stone stands over a burial cairn dating from 1300-1500 years ago.
The Picardy Stone is about 2 metres tall and is encircled by a well-made enclosure provided by Historic Environment Scotland. The board on the enclosure explains the symbols carved into the stone.
What is carved into the Picardy Stone?
The stone has three carvings:
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The double disc and z-rod.
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The tightly coiled serpent and z-rod.
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The simple mirror symbol.
The stone was excavated in 1856, and the remains of an empty 2-metre-wide circular burial cairn were discovered. The quality of this Victorian excavation was poor, so many details may have been lost or not recorded correctly. The cairn and extended grave no longer exist today.
Pictish Stones don't usually mark burial cairns, so the Picardy Stone is unique. It's possible that a powerful woman commissioned the stone to be erected for a particularly important burial. Hand mirrors from that time have been found that look exactly like the symbol carved into the stone.
Most Pictish stones have been repositioned, but the Picardy Stone stands in its original location; it was probably too big to move! Dunnideer Castle can be seen on the hill behind the stone to the south where an ancient stone circle also exists, I wonder if there is a link there?
FAQs on the Picardy Symbol Stone
Here are a few frequently asked questions on the Picardy Stone:
How to get to the Picardy Stone
From the A96:
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Near the Kellockbank Garden Centre, turn west along the B992.
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Take the right turn marked Knockenbaird.
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Take this left down a minor road.
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Remain on this road for a good distance and look for a small green sign marked "The Picardy Stone".
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Park at the field entrance on your right; the stone is accessed on the left.
Where is it best to park for the Picardy Stone?
The best place to park is directly opposite the stone; it's a layby/field entrance. If the farmer needs access, move on promptly.
What are Class 1 Pictish stones?
Class 1 Pictish Stones are symbol stones with abstract and naturalistic symbols carved into them. The carvings often include Christian iconography and Pictish symbols such as the double disc and z-rod.
Useful links:
The Picardy Stone on Google Maps.
What3words: ///unclaimed.sang.catch
Key information on the Picardy Stone
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The Picardy Stone is an ancient Pictish symbol stone found northwest of Insch in Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland.
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The stone is unique as it is quite large, is in its original location, and marks the site of a burial, unlike other carved stones in the area.
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It is accessed via a minor road with parking for only one car.
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Stonehead Recumbent Stone and Dunnideer Castle can be visited a short distance away.
Conclusion
The Picardy Stone is an impressive example of a Pictish Symbol Stone, made unique by still being in its original position and marking the site of a burial. Given its close location to the road, there's no excuse not to have a quick stop and see this ancient marvel while travelling around Aberdeenshire.
We continued our northeast tour with The Maiden Stone next on our agenda.
All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.
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