from Rosemarkie, Black Isle, Ross-shire

Sculptured stone (piece)

This piece of a sculptured stone is one of a number of early Christian stones found at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle in Ross-shire, probably the site of an early monastery. The stone was carved between 700 and 900.

The carving shows a wolf or lion-like animal biting a man with short hair and a pointed beard. The legs of another beast are above him, the head of another below and a muzzle of another to the right. The scene probably portrays Daniel in the lion's den.

The eastern Ross-shire area is rich in Pictish carvings, showing a wealthy church able to commission a variety of carvings. Many of the stones blend Pictish symbols with Christian crosses and scenes, in carvings which relate to manuscript and metalwork.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-043-483-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.IB 127
Date:	Between 700 and 900
Material:	Sandstone; with man's head between heads of two animals, showing snout of third animal and feet of fourth
Dimensions:	11.00" x 9.00"
What:	Slab / portion
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Rosemarkie
Event:
Description:	Portion of a sandstone slab possibly showing Daniel in the lions' den, from Rosemarkie, Ross and Cromarty
References:	Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, pp 86-7.
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