Home » History » Scottish History » Eternal Picts: Their Lasting Influence

Eternal Picts: Their Lasting Influence

© Matthew White

As we have seen in previous articles, the Picts were the dominant force in Scotland for hundreds of years. However, very few contemporary records exist and consequently little is known about these people. They have, however, left us their carvings on stone, the intricacies of which indicate a people who were not as barbaric as the Roman writers claimed. These stones provide most of our knowledge about the Picts.

The earliest of these carvings contain pagan symbols but the Christianisation of the people can be clearly traced through this work. Stylised animals and geometric patterns are characteristic of the art. Some of the animal figures may be linked with mythical creatures or heathen gods. The Drosden Stone depicts a figure with a crossbow proving that the weapons in Scotland at this time were more sophisticated than is often believed.

According to George Bain (who has done much to promote Celtic Art and has been largely responsible for the recent resurgence of interest in it) Celtic Art had its roots in the Mediterranean but reached its peak with the Picts. In his book, 'Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction', he refers to the Pictish School of Celtic Art and states that 'the finest examples of ornamented stone monuments, metal work and jewellery have been found' in those areas inhabited by the Picts.

Mention Celtic Art and most people think of the Irish Books of Kells and Durrow. George Bain states that these beautiful examples of Celtic Art are similar in style to the Pictish stones of East Scotland and to the stones of Northern Ireland in the area inhabited by the Cruithne (more evidence that the Cruithne of Ireland were of the same stock as the Picts of Scotland). Celtic ornamentation in other areas of Britain is different in style and belongs to other schools of Celtic Art.

Unfortunately many of the Pictish stones were deliberately destroyed when Pope Gregory the Great (born 540 AD, Pope 590-604 AD) ordered the obliteration of the Celtic Christian Church. The adherents of this Catholic church argued with Rome, mainly over the date of Easter. This led King Oswy of Northumbria calling the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD where it was decided that the Roman Catholic Church should prevail. Celtic Christianity waned and the Pope's authority was recognised in Scotland until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

Examples of Pictish jewellery have also been found. Again the intricate designs indicate craftsmanship of a superior nature. Jewellery was made of bronze or silver and moulds for brooches have been found throughout Scotland. Heavy double-link silver chains have also been excavated. These may have been used as symbols of rank.

Spiral from Pictish stone.

Fragment of Inverurie stone.

The copyright of the article Eternal Picts: Their Lasting Influence in Scottish History is owned by Matthew White. Permission to republish Eternal Picts: Their Lasting Influence in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.