Dupplin Cross

About

The Dupplin Cross is a carved, monumental Pictish stone, which dates from around 800 AD. It was first recorded by Thomas Pennant in 1769, on a hillside in Strathearn, a little to the north of (and on the opposite bank of the River Earn from) Forteviot and Dunning. In 2002 it was placed in the care of Historic Scotland, and was placed for preservation under the 11th/12th-century tower of St Serf's Church, Dunning.

The Dupplin Cross is a high cross, that is a free-standing stone cross. While relatively common in Ireland, Northumbria and in Dál Riata, such crosses are rare survivals in the lands of the Picts, though fragments of shattered crosses (probably cast down during the 16th-century Reformation) show that a number once existed. In the 18th century a second cross, the Cross of Dronachy, was recorded as having stood on the lands of Invermay, south of Forteviot and also overlooking Forteviot, but having fallen and broken.

The cross base survives in situ, but the records do not provide details of its exact form. The cross is carved from Old Red Sandstone, and stands about 2.5 metres tall, 1 metre broad over the arms of the cross. It is carved with various scenes, religious, martial...