Tote Pictish Stone
Tote Pictish Stone

On a small hill off a minor road north of Skeabost, at the head of Loch Snizort Beag, stands a solitary stone carved with traditional Pictish symbols. The stone is named for the nearby township of Tote, but is sometimes referred to by its Gaelic name of Clach Ard, which translates aptly as 'tall stone'.

The double-disc and Z-rod symbol
The double-disc and
Z-rod symbol

The Tote Pictish Stone is basalt, and may date to the 7th century (though some archaeologists suggest a slightly later 8th-century date). It stands about 4 1/2 feet high, 1 foot 7 inches wide, and is an irregular five-sided shape, with the carved face looking south.

The face is carved with common Pictish motifs, including a mirror and comb at the base, a double-disc above with a Z-rod under it, and at the top a crescent and V-rod. The area around the symbols has been decorated with small circles with a round dot in the centre. These small circles are now very worn and indistinct.

What do the symbols mean? The truth is, that though the symbols have been the subject of much study by archaeologists, no one really knows. They could be religious symbols, a coat of arms relevant to a family or ruling class, or even a territorial marker.

The stone is protected by a wooden fence, but the carvings are extremely easy to see.

Crescent and V-rod symbols
Crescent and V-rod symbols

The stone has had a chequered past. For centuries it was served as a door jamb for a nearby house owned by a shoemaker. It was recognised as a symbol stone in 1880, and re-erected on a small rise above the township.

Though the stone has suffered from the effects of weathering, being out in the open, the carvings are still very easy to make out. You can see where the stone was shaped at the base to be used as a door jamb. The base of the stone also shows wear suggesting it was used as a tethering post for animals.

What is the stone doing here? Most Pictish stones are found in the east of Scotland, primarily in Aberdeenshire and north, while extremely few have been found in western Scotland, including two others on Skye.

Visiting

It is quite easy to find the stone. The road to Tote is just off the B8036 just north of its junction with the A850. If you are coming from the north (Uig) just take the B8036 off the A87, go past the Prabost turnoff, and take the next right towards Tote. The stone is about nine metres north of the road, looking over the township, and very close to a gravel pit.

About Tote Pictish Stone
Address: B8036, Tote, Skeabost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
Attraction Type: Prehistoric Site
Location: On the minor road to Tote, off the B8036 north of Skeabost. The nearest postcode is IV51 9NR (Skeabost House Hotel)
Location map
OS: NG421491
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time


HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Historic Time Periods:

Victorian

Find other attractions tagged with:

7th century (Time Period) - 8th century (Time Period) - Decorated (Architecture) - Edwardian (Historical Reference) - Pictish (Architecture) - Victorian (Time Period) -


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Skeabost Chapel - 0.4 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Kensaleyre Standing Stones - 2.2 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Aros Experience - 5.5 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Hugh's Castle (Caisteal Uisdein) - 6.1 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating

Old Man of Storr - 6.3 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

Trotternish Peninsula - 7.1 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

St Assind's Chapel - 7.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Dun Beag Broch - 7.5 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating



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