A square Pictish stone carrying a mirror, Z-rod and two-pony chariot survives because it was repeatedly reused in church and estate walls.
Quick facts
- Date
- Late Iron Age or early medieval; moved to present position circa 1960
- Architect / designer
- Unknown Pictish sculptor
- Type
- Incised symbol stone reset in a house wall
- Designation
- Scheduled monument (SM348)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 29053 47079
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The stone measures about 0.8 metres square and is now set roughly 1.5 metres above ground. Three incised devices occupy its face: a mirror, a Z-rod and a small wheeled chariot drawn by two ponies.
Its story
The stone came from the wall of a former church on the Arndilly site and was later built into the house. It was moved again around 1960 to its recorded position west of the south entrance porch.
Why it is included
Scheduling recognises a well-preserved symbol stone whose known ecclesiastical provenance and unusual chariot motif contribute to the study of art, belief and society in early Scotland.
What to notice
- The circular form of the mirror symbol.
- A bent Z-rod device.
- Two small ponies pulling a chariot.
Reading the surroundings
The monument is fixed to a private house. Do not enter the estate or approach the wall without explicit permission; use published records to study details that are not publicly visible.
Timeline
- Late Iron Age–early medieval period A sculptor cut three Pictish symbols into the square slab.
- Later period Builders reused the stone in a church wall at Arndilly.
- Circa 1960 The slab was reset at its documented position on the house.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The original monument form, first setting and exact carving date cannot be recovered from present evidence.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Arndilly Symbol Stone, SM348 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: SM348 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 29053 47079 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms record identity and archival context. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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