The Maiden Stone | Picts of Scotland | History of the World | Aberdeenshire | Before Caledonia

'Before Caledonia' - A Journey Through 'Scotland's Ancient Sites'.
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The Maiden Stone | Chapel of Garioch | Aberdeenshire | Scotland

In the shadow of Mither Tap is a 800 year old standing stone, saturated with bold Pictish and Christian motifs. These glyphs were skilfully carved onto the 3m high, pink granite Megalith. The glyphs span two historical periods and were very important to our ancient ancestors. They may have had meanings of land ownership, an individuals status or an alliance to a tribe.

The Maiden Stone could be one of the last symbol stones to be erected in Aberdeenshire and is likely near its original site. The stone may have been a place of prayer for people traveling between Moray and Aberdeenshire. The Picts who erected this monolith were descended from the ancient Caledonia tribes who laid the foundation of the medieval kingdom of Scots.

On the highly decorated slab is a figure who may be Jesus or Jonah accompanied by a sea creature at either side. This man stands on top of a ring headed Christian Cross. Below this cross is a circle with a smaller inner circle with ornate Celtic knot and abstract designs. Some scholars think the glyphs may have been coloured. On the side of the stone is interlace key pattern knotwork design.

On the opposite face is four sections of carvings. At the base is delicate Ogham script, this is an ancient form of writing. Above this is a double sided comb and mirror, the second section is an animal which resembles a Platypus. The third part is some kind of notched rectangular shape overlain with a Z-Rod. The top glyphs have a horse type animal with a human head which could be a centaur.

Quite a bit of folklore is associated with the stone, one being the Megalith is a memorial to a young lady killed as a result of a dispute between two families. Another is the stone was once a maiden who lost a bet with the devil as she fled, the devil turned her to stone. The notch between the top two sections is allegedly where satan trapped the maidens shoulder.

Lastly, the stone is meant to be a petrified maiden who rashly wagered with the devil that she could bake bannocks faster than he could build a road to Mither Tap. The mirror and comb symbol is supposedly a loaf and bread spade on the maidens apron.

In the 1640’sAD Christian radicals may have vandalised the cross when ‘Idolatrous Monuments’ were destroyed intentionally. St Medan may be linked with the stone however very little is known about this early Christian missionary.

In the winter the stone is boxed over and covered in insulating material to protect it from the harsh Scottish winters. The Maiden Stone is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, situated north west of Inverurie and just off the A96 on a minor road.

A BIG Thanks to our ancient ancestors.