For a full list of museums that have significant collections or displays on the Picts see the Carved Stones / Museum section.

Also just to mention that the interesting Pictavia in the Brechin Castle Centre disappointingly closed some years ago.

Chambers Street, Edinburgh   EH1 1JF

www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/games/discover-the-picts/

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Pictish artifacts. Many of the most beautiful and famous stones are kept here, along with casts of others. The museum also holds a staggering collection of Dark Age metalwork, including the Pictish hoards found at Norrie’s law in Fife and St Ninian’s Isle in Shetland.

NOTE: [Tel: 0300 123 6789]  Open all year, daily 

On A94, Meigle, Angus   HS    PH12 8SB

www.historicenvironment.scot

Justifiably described as one of the most notable collections of Dark Age sculpture anywhere in Western Europe, a visit to Meigle Museum is a must. The stones on display   – over 30 in all – were found at or near the old churchyard, and include the beautiful and remar-kable Daniel Stone, with a depiction of Daniel and the lions. This stone, which formerly stood by a mound outside the church to the right of the north entrance, is said commemorate the burial place of Guinevere (Vanora), wife of Arthur, who was reputedly torn apart for adultery.

NOTE: [Tel: 01828 640612]  Open Apr-Oct, daily.

P nearby   S   WC   £   Disabled access/WC

On A832, 1 mile NE of Fortrose, on High Street, Rosemarkie, Ross   IV10 8UF

www.groamhouse.org.uk

Rosemarkie was a major ecclesiastical centre in early Christian times. This award-winning museum holds 15 Class 2 and 3 stones, all found within the village, as testament to its importance. Pride of place goes to the Rosemarkie Cross, a beautiful and intricately decorated Class 2 stone which must be seen to be appreciated. Boasts a fine collection of audio-visua/static displays, activities and temporary exhibitions: highly recommended.

NOTE: [Tel: 01463 811883] Open Easter-Oct, Mon-Fri 11.00-16.30, Sat-Sun 14.00-16.30; winter opening, check

Off B9165, in Portmahomack, 11 miles E of Tain, Ross   IV20 1YA

www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk

The visitor centre here has one of the most recently discovered Pictish stones. The stones show a pair of lions fighting over a deer, set above four clerical figures – possibly the four Evangelists – some beautiful spiral designs and a ferocious dragon-like creature with gaping jaws. This stone, along with other items, was found in the ongoing archaeological excavation next to the church, and site tours of the dig are available in the summer months. 

NOTE: [Tel: 01862 871351]  Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat; Jun-Sep also Sun.

Meffan Museum and Art Gallery

20 West High Street, Forfar, Angus  DD8 1BB

archive.angus.gov.uk

This art gallery and museum holds an extensive collection of Pictish carved stones, both whole and fragmentary, all from Kirriemuir, and is well worth a visit. There is an excellent computer guide to Pictish stones.

NOTE: [Tel: 01307 476482]  Open all year, Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00

Off A933, 0.5 miles N of Arbroath, Angus   HS   DD11 4RB

www.historicenvironment.scot

This compact museum houses a fantastic display of sculptured stones, both complete and fragmentary, including the Drosten Stone. This Stone has an Ogham inscription, as well as other carvings of beasts, men and symbols. The collection ranks among the best in the world, and anyone with an interest in Pictish art should visit. Highly recommended.

NOTE: [Tel: 01241 878756] Tel to arrange a visit

NC 852008   17   KW10 6SF  

On minor road off A9, 1.5 miles E of Golspie, Sutherland

www.dunrobincastle.co.uk (museum)

Set in the grounds of Dunrobin Castle, the seat of the Earls of Sutherland since the 13th century and well worth a visit in itself, Dunrobin Museum holds an excellent collection of Pictish stones from around the area, both whole and fragmentary, including a cross-slab (Golspie Stone) from St Andrews kirkyard with Pictish symbols and an Ogham inscription.

NOTE: [Tel: 01408 633177] Open Apr-Oct; opening times vary  with month

Castle Wynd, Inverness   IV2 3EB

www.highlifehighland.com/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/

The Inverness Museum has an excellent collection of Pictish artifacts and displays, and several fine Class 1 stones including the beautiful Ardross Wolf and Deer. The Picts had a major stronghold here. The site was reused for a medieval castle, the last vestiges of which were removed after being blown up in the Jacobite Rising. The site of the old stronghold is now occupied by a mock castle of 1835.

NOTE: [Tel: 01463 237114]  Open Apr-Oct, Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00; Oct-Mar, Tue-Thu 12.00-16.00, Fri-Sat 11.00-16.00; closed Sun-Mon all year.

High Street, Elgin   IV30 1EQ

www.elgin museum.org.uk

This award-winning mueum holds many items of interest relating to both the prehistory and history of the North-East, including some of the Burghead stones and others from Kinneddar. Disabled access to Pictish stones on ground floor.

NOTE: [Tel: 01343 543675] Open late Apr-Oct, Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat 11.00-16.00, closed Sun

The McManus, Albert Square, Dundee   DD1 1DA

www.mcmanus.co.uk

Dundee Museum tells the story of this historic region of Scotland from the earliest times to the present day. Carved stones form part of its permanent collection, supplemented by other excellent exhibits and information on the Picts, including the Dunnichen Stone found near the site of the Battle of Nechtansmere.

NOTE: [Tel: 01382 307200] Open all year, daily

Tankerness House, Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney   KW15 1DH

www.orkney.gov.uk

Contains several stones and artifacts dating from the Pictish era, excavated from all over the Orkney islands.

NOTE: [Tel: 01856 873191]  Open all year, Mon-Sat – times vary

P nearby   S   WC   Disabled limited access/WC

Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, Shetland   ZE1 0WP

shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk

Although some of the most famous stones, and such archaeological treasures as the St Ninian’s Isle hoard, have gone from Shetland to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, many more recent finds are on display here, including the eerie Mail figure stone with its wolf-headed man and the Monk’s Stone, an early cross-slab from Papil.

NOTE: [Tel: 01595 695057]  Open all year: Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 12.00-17.00

Panmure Place, Montrose, Angus   DD10 8HF

archive.angus.gov.uk

The museum has a small collections of Pictish stones, including the striking Samson Stone, illustrating scenes from the Bible story including Samson slaying the Philistines with the jaw-bone of an ass and Delilah cutting off his hair.

NOTE: [Tel: 01674 662660]  Open all year, Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00

George Street, Perth   PH1 5LB

www.culturepk.org.uk

The museum holds various exhibits on the history and prehistory of the area, including some Pictish stones, including the St Madoe’s cross-slab which is located in the entrance hall, and a stone from Inchyra with both symbols and an Ogham inscription.

NOTE: [Tel: 01738 632488]  Open all year, Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00

For a full list of museums that  have significant collections or displays on the Picts see the Carved Stones / Museum section.

© Martin Coventry 2018