Aberlemno - Standing Stones and Churchyard
As drystone wallers we are always keen to visit historic sites that feature drystone or stone and Aberlemno in Angus feels like the centre of the Pictish universe. Many carved standing stones dating back to the Pictish period have been discovered, in and near the village, including one as recently as 2022.
When we visited the stones last year, we went in winter not knowing that they are covered between September and April. This is to prevent the carving on the stones being damaged by the harsh Scottish winter weather. On our recent visit, we got to see the stones in the sun!
Aberlemno number one is an unshaped stone with Pictish symbols on one side and cup and ring marks on the other. From top to bootom: The serpent, the double disc and z-rod, the serpent and the mirror and comb. We do not know what these symbols mean but they appear often in Pictish carvings. The cup and ring marks, which are much older than the carvings, show that this stone has been reused.
Aberlemno number three is a huge slab of sandstone, carved with a celtic cross and book-reading angels on one side and a hunting scene on the other. Below you can see some details of the hunting scene, including the depiction of a centaur. This stone dates from the ninth century.
Aberlemno number two stands in the churchyard a short drive away. This stone is considered one of the finest Dark Age sculptures in Europe. A cross on one side and on the other, a narrative depiction of a battle scene. There is so much detail in the carvings that experts were able to identify the types of helmets worn by the soldiers, and it is thought that this was the battle of Dun Nechtan of 685 AD when the Pict Brude MacBeli defeated the Northumbrian King Ecgfrith and his army. Ecgrith may even be depicted in the carving. At the top right of the battle scene, a man is fleeing on a horse with an un-docked tail and a large saddle blanket. This suggests a warrior of some importance. In the bottom right hand corner of the battle scene, you can see a man, who is thought to be a Northumbrian soldier, being pecked at by a raven which traditionally represent death.
The churchyard at Aberlemno also contains many very old and beautiful gravestones (some early 1700s). It would appear the oldest of them are leaning against the wall at the back of the church.
