#7 - Crossing paths with the Picts in Scotland

 I find genealogy fascinating & have done extensive work on my complex family tree.  With information online, several sites connect to known lines & mine (through my Mother) connects all the way back to the early inhabitants of Scotland, the Picts. They are known by the huge intricate stones they left behind 

While touring around the northern regions, I noted several Pict sites to visit. 

The Shandwick stone was a really impressive sight ... 

 

The Shandwick stone or Clach a' Charridh is one of the many found on the Pictish Trail along the North Coast of Scotland. 

From the harbour, the stone if on the hill opposite, in a prominent position. 

It stands in its original site, high on a hill overlooking the Moray Firth.  It is an impressive 9 feet tall, intricately carved on all sides. It is described as ... 

One side of the stone (on landward side) has panels including a busy scene of birds, beasts and human figures and a fantastic pattern of spirals. The other side shows a cross decorated with spiral work and surrounded by angels, animals (perhaps references to biblical stories), and complicated patterns of snakes and interlace.

The jewelled Cross has 54 raised spiral shapes (bosses) 

A good drawing of the stone is here ...  

It is protected from the wild elements by a glass case.

There is something quite primaeval about connecting to history so long ago, it is as if time stands still. Looking out to the sea from the top of the hill was strangely moving. 

At Armadale Castle on Skye, they had a fascinating visitors centre / museum which included history of the Picts in the region. 

It is known that 3 Pictish symbol stones have been found on Skye 

    

I will include some more Pict sites when I visit Scotland again. I know the link is tenuous but it is fascinating never the less. There are over 300 Pict stones across Scotland, many with dragon like beasts, interesting that they had a 'written' history & then they mysteriously disappeared. 

There are some interesting Pict facts on this page - I'm not sold on the tattoos & painting themselves blue which must have been a truly frightening sight, given that they were numerous barbaric tribes.

We know this about the Picts on the isle of Skye

The first millennium AD was a time of upheaval with different groups such as Picts, Gaels and Scots and eventually the Vikings appearing on the scene. Around this time clans developed, people lived in small communities, (Clachans), grew oats and barley and traded up and down the coast. 

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history ... 

Dee