Pictish Stones

The Hilton of Cadboll Stone

The Hilton of Cadboll Stone was carved approximately 1200 years ago and stood at the chapel site at the north end of Hilton.  It soon broke off at ground level and was re-erected close by.  Later in the 17th century, it was broken again and one side of the upper part was re-worked as a gravestone.

The lower part, was left in the ground and forgotten, then rediscovered in 2001.  Being buried for so long it was protected from weather and so the intricate details of the carvings are still clear.

The front shows the stepped base of a cross, surrounded by typical pictish designs.  The survival of this detail is exciting because the carving on the rest of this side was removed in the 17th century.  The back shows the fabulously decorated border which ran all the way round the surviving face of the stone.

The upper part was set up in 1870 in the grounds of Invergordon Castle. It was then given to the British Museum in London in 1921, but soon afterwards taken to Edinburgh where it is still displayed in the Museum of Scotland.  The original base can be seen displayed in the Seaboard Memorial Hall in Balintore.

A new stone by sculptor Barry Grove, inspired by the original, was set up at the chapel site in 2005.

The Hilton of Cadboll Stone 

(Replica, by Barry Grove)

The Shandwick Stone

The Shandwick cross slab can be seen standing above the village of Shandwick.  Local people concerned by the erosion of the stone formed the Shandwick Trust and it is now protected from the elements by a glass box.  There is a local tradition that unbaptised babies who had died during birth were buried near the stone.  The many carvings on both sides of the stone are stunning.

The Stones of the Pictish Peninsulas

Dougie Scott's booklet provides a very welcome guide to the Pictish stones and heritage of Ross-shire for both visitors and locals alike.  This can be purchased from the Seaboard Memorial Hall or by contacting us on 01862 832888 or by email seaboardnews@btconnect.com