The Picts at Groam House Museum
Very little is known about the Picts,
their culture, their language or even what they called themselves. They were the Dark Age people of the North of Britain. 1500 years ago, Pictland extended from the Northern Isles to the centre of Scotland. Named first by the Roman
invaders, they were a farming people. Their kings were listed by the Irish Chroniclers, they adopted Christianity in the sixth century,their skilled craftsmen created stone monuments, metalwork, jewellery and weapons. They were a
fighting people, and about 840AD they united with their former enemies the Scots, possibly to defeat the invading Vikings. After that they faded from history. The Rosemarkie Stones, which can be seen in the Groam House Museum,
were all found in the village, many when graves were being dug in the churchyard. They are examples of the Pictish standing stones which were the sculptures of these peoples. The early stones have symbols and animals carved on
their surface, and later the designs were raised and decorated in a more sophisticated style until finally, with the coming of Christianity, large crosses and biblical scenes were added. To this day the symbols remain enigmatic
Groam House is open 1 May to 30 September, 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. From October to April, it is open 2pm to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. High Street, Rosemarkie, IV10 8UF. Tel 01381 620961
