Maiden Stone

One of the few 'Class II' Pictish monuments in the north east of Scotland. This an upright slab of red granite, 3.01 m high, with relief carvings of a cross on one side and symbols on the other.

The cross is surmounted by a man between 2 fish monsters, while there is a large disc below the cross.

On the reverse the slab bears, in separate panels:

• a centaur-like figure
• a notched-rectangle and Z-rod (chariot)
• a beast
• a mirror and double-sided comb

These large, high-relief symbols represent the final stage in the development of Pictish symbols from their incised beginnings.

The name 'Maiden Stone' is said to come from the legend of a daughter of a Laird of Balquhain who was turned to stone on her wedding day after losing a bet with the devil.

Directions

• Grid ref: NJ 703 247 Ordnance Survey Landranger Series sheet no. 38

5 miles NW of Inverurie on minor road running S of A96 from Oyne fork in W to Drimmies in E. Stone stands on bend: park in layby c 20m W of the stone. Now cared for by Historic Scotland.

• The Maiden Stone - 2nd in a series of leaflets on the Archaeology of N E Scotland (379 kb)