Picardy Symbol Stone — The Ancient Codex

Picardy Symbol Stone, Aberdeenshire — Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Picardy Symbol Stone is a Pictish symbol stone near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Its carvings are dated to around AD 600, and it is a scheduled monument.

Picardy Symbol Stone is a carved stone near Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.

History

The Picardy Symbol Stone is a Pictish symbol stone near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Its carvings are dated to around AD 600, and it is a scheduled monument.

Cultural influences

The Pictish symbol tradition — the stone is carved with incised symbols rather than figurative scenes, the older Class I convention of Pictish stone-carving.

Connections

Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Brandsbutt Stone

Related Aberdeenshire Pictish symbol stone (Wikipedia 'see also')
Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Maiden Stone

Related Aberdeenshire Pictish stone (Wikipedia 'see also')
Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Dyce Symbol Stones

Related Aberdeenshire Pictish symbol stones (Wikipedia 'see also')

What to look for

A large whinstone block, about 2 m high and 0.9 m wide at the base.
Three incised Pictish symbols: a double-disc with Z-rod, a serpent with Z-rod, and a mirror.

Plan your visit

Location: 57.3611°N · 2.6501°W
Nearest settlement: Insch
Access: Open access
Terrain: Easy going
Start point: 8m south of Huntly off the A96 to Raes of Inch (second road on the left).
Best time: Open year-round.
Start point: Roadside near the stone, off the A96 (nearest village: Insch) (parking unconfirmed) — HES lists no formal parking. The stone stands in a small fenced enclosure by a minor road; visitors use considerate roadside parking. Nearest village is Insch (~2km south, with rail station); HES directions give it as off the A96 toward Raes of Inch. No verified public car park within 2km.