Tullich Symbol Stone

Tullich Symbol Stone

Outside the old ruined kirk of St Nathalan at Tullich is a worn Pictish stone carved with traditional Pictish symbols of a mirror, beast, double disc, and Z-rod. The stone can be found in a railed enclosure against the north wall of the church.

The stone's surface is very worn, and the edges have been trimmed at some point in the past. The symbol stone was discovered in 1866 by Rev John Michie of Dinnet being used as a lintel for a window in the north wall of the church.

The stone is thought to have been carved in the 7th century. it is carved from blue slate (technically Andalusite staurolite schist). It stands 5'9" high, 1'9" wide and 5" thick (1.75m x 0.5m x 0.13m).

The front face shows a double-disc and Z-rod at the top above an elephant symbol. At the bottom is a mirror symbol without a comb. Each of the double-discs is decorated with a concentric circle. The mirror is decorated with another circle and the mirror handle is in the shape of a double disc.

History

The Tullich kirk site is bounded by a circular wall, suggesting a very early church existed on the site. It was thought to have been established by Nathalan, sometimes known as Neachtan, who died in AD 678.

In the medieval period Tullich church was held by the Knights Templar, and after that Order was dissolved it passed to the Hospitallers. They built a fort around the church, traces of which could still be seen in 1898. Much of the present building is post-Reformation but a 14th-century doorway survives in the north wall.

Beside the symbol stone are 16 Celtic-style slabs stones inscribed with crosses. These are thought to be medieval gravestones and vary from 0.2m to 1.5m high. There is also a very large medieval font bowl.

There is a Pictish cross-slab five miles away at Kinord, and a stone circle at Tomnaverie, 9 miles away.

UPDATE
The symbol stone was removed pending the construction of a display shelter in the kirkyard, but we understand this has now been completed and the stone is now viewable once more..