Fish monsters, a Pictish Beast and a carved cross share the faces of Rodney’s Stone near Brodie Castle. Rodney’s Stone is a Class II Pictish cross-slab, a carved stone with a Christian cross on one face and Pictish symbols on another.
The stone matters because it carries the longest known Pictish inscription. Its Ogham writing, an early alphabet of strokes cut along an edge or line, is weathered but preserves the Pictish name Ethernan, written as EDDARRNON.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
The name
Ogham is an early writing system made from groups of strokes, often cut along the edge of a stone.
History
Rodney's Stone was originally found nearby in the grounds of the old church of Dyke and Moy.
It now stands close to the approach way to Brodie Castle near Forres.
The stone is classified as a Class II Pictish stone, with a cross on one face and symbols on the other.
Its inscription is the longest of all Pictish inscriptions.
The stone is a scheduled monument.
People
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Ethernan
A prominent Pictish saint whose name appears in the weathered inscription as EDDARRNON.
What to look for
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Symbols face
The symbols include two fish monsters, a Pictish Beast and a double disc with Z-rod.
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Cross face
The other broad face carries a cross and animal carving.
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Ogham inscription
The inscription runs on both sides and the cross face, although much of it is weathered.
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Scheduled protection
Scheduled monument status gives the stone legal protection as a nationally important historic site.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.5975°N · 3.7011°W
- Access
- Visible from a public way
- Terrain
- Easy going
Opening & admission
- Stone stands close to the approach way to Brodie Castle.
- Scheduled-monument status means do not touch or climb on the stone.
Nearby places
Fortified place · Medieval
Cawdor Castle
Highland
One of Scotland's enduring inhabited castles, Cawdor grew from a medieval Highland tower into the seat of the Thanes of Cawdor and carries a litera…
Questions people ask
- What is Rodney's Stone?
- It is a Class II Pictish cross-slab near Brodie Castle in Moray.
- What is a Pictish cross-slab?
- It is a carved stone slab with a Christian cross, often paired with Pictish symbols or decoration.
- Why is the inscription important?
- It is described as the longest of all Pictish inscriptions.
- What is Ogham?
- Ogham is an early alphabet formed from strokes, often cut along stone edges or lines.
- Who is named on Rodney's Stone?
- The weathered inscription includes the Pictish name Ethernan, written as EDDARRNON.
Sources
Explore more: Carved stones · Pictish & early medieval · Moray
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