Sculptured stone

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This stone carved with Pictish symbols was found at Strome Shunnamul on Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. It dates from between 500 and 800. It is one of only two Pictish symbol stones known from the Western Isles.

The slab was carved in the centre with a circle symbol - quite unusual in the Pictish repertoire - enclosing three smaller circles. To its side is a rectangle (a comb case?) decorated with a straight line and with two curved lines ending in scrolls.

Monumental stones and some silver jewellery were decorated by the Picts with a range of unusual symbols, some of everyday objects and others more abstract. Many theories have been proposed to explain their meanings which nevertheless remain obscure.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-452-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 37
• Date: Between 500 and 800
  
• Material: Granite; with circles and square-shaped figures
  Symbol stone
  
• Dimensions: 1080 mm H x 200 mm L x 990 mm W
  
• What: Symbol stone
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Benbecula, Strome Shunnamal
  
• Event:
• Description: Sculptured Pictish symbol stone with circles and square-shaped figures, from Strome Shunnamal, Benbecula
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, pp 110-1. 
• Translations:
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