Cross slab

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This cross slab was found at the old parish church at Reay in Caithness, reused in the south wall of the church. All four sides of the monolith were carved, sometime between 800 and 1000.

This picture shows the main side of the stone, carved with a cross in relief, filled with a diagonal key pattern. Although the shape of the cross is similar to that found on other Pictish stones, it is much narrower, due to the shape of the stone.

Once the Picts converted to Christianity, they often carved stones with a mixture of Christian and pre-Christian symbols. As in this example, the cross became the main feature, often decorated with interlace panels in relief.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-092-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 267
• Date: Between 800 and 1000
  
• Material: Sandstone, reddish; sculptured in flat relief; lowest part missing
  Cross shaft
  
• Dimensions: 1220 mm H x 240 mm L x 270 mm W
  
• What: Cross shaft
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Reay Parish Church
  
• Event:
• Description: Cross shaft of reddish sandstone sculptured in flat relief, found in 1947 built into the south wall of Reay Parish Church, Caithness
  
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