Pupils Learn Pictish Carving

22 July 2011

An RCAHMS expert has been helping Standard Grade art pupils from Thurso High School learn how to draw and carve Pictish symbols in stone.

John Borland, RCAHMS measured survey manager, demonstrated how to accurately sketch the symbols, using his own drawings of the well-known Ulbster and Skinnet stones from the region as examples. He then helped pupils carve their designs, firstly into practice pieces of Caithness Flagstone, and finally into high quality sandstone for the finished products.

The project took place at Caithness Horizons in Thurso, a museum and local exhibition space with a permanent gallery dedicated to the history of Caithness. The museum’s Ulbster and Skinnet stones highlight the area’s prominent Pictish past. The Picts dominated the north and east of Scotland between the third and tenth centuries AD and are best known for their intricately carved symbol stones. Interpreting these stones is a source of continuing intrigue and fascination as historical and archaeological records are scarce.

Speaking about the initiative, John Borland said, “By the end of the week I was very impressed by the pupils’ work. I know from experience how hard it is to concentrate on drawing these symbols accurately, and the physical stamina needed to carve them is considerable.”

Christine Russell, the museums’ education and community officer, viewed the project as a great success saying, “We’re very grateful to Museums Galleries Scotland, to RCAHMS and to Archaeology Scotland for funding, professional advice and for the loan of some tools.”

The new stones will be exhibited at Caithness Horizons and will be featured in an interactive display. The museum now has its own stone carving tools, which it hopes to use for further local projects.