Carved stone · Pictish & early medieval · Highland

Rosemarkie sculpture fragments

Open access · Easy going

Photo: Alan Murray-Rust / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Fragments at Rosemarkie preserve scenes of Christian storytelling and Pictish stone carving beyond the famous main stone. The Rosemarkie sculpture fragments are early-medieval Pictish carved slabs and pieces from Rosemarkie on the Black Isle of Easter Ross.

Fourteen fragments are known. They are usually displayed in Groam House Museum, where the group includes the so-called Daniel Stone, thought to show the Old Testament story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

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

History

The Rosemarkie sculpture fragments were discovered at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle. Fourteen fragments are known apart from the main Rosemarkie Stone. The stones are likely Christian in origin.

Some fragments may have served funerary purposes, including as coffin lids. Other pieces may once have belonged to a larger stone monument. The so-called Daniel Stone is interpreted as Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

The fragments are usually displayed in Groam House Museum.

Connections

  • Groam House Museum

    Usual display place for the fragments.

  • Rosemarkie Stone

    Main carved stone distinct from these fragments.

  • Iona

    Comparable artistic style noted in the source pack.

What to look for

  • Daniel Stone

    Fragment thought to show Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

  • Funerary pieces

    Some may have been coffin lids or grave-related carvings.

  • Iona-like style

    Carving shares a broad style with Iona art.

Plan your visit

Location
57.5914°N · 4.1133°W
Access
Open access
Terrain
Easy going

Opening & admission

  • Fragments are usually displayed in Groam House Museum.

Nearby places

Questions people ask

What are the Rosemarkie sculpture fragments?
They are early-medieval Pictish carved stone pieces from Rosemarkie.
How many are known?
Fourteen fragments are known apart from the main Rosemarkie Stone.
Where are they displayed?
They are usually displayed at Groam House Museum.
What is the Daniel Stone?
It is a fragment thought to depict Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

Sources

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