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Rhynie Pictish Stones Traditional Geocache

Hidden : 10/18/2015
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

3 Pictish Symbol Stones.


Parking is available in the cemetery carpark. 

 

Of the 3 stones on display her, two were found in 1878 amongst a number of other large stones from the foundations of the old kirk; the third was ploughed up in April 1978.

 

The first stone is decorated with an animal’s head (perhaps an otter or seal), a double disc, a Z-rod, a mirror and comb- the comb is of an early type, perhaps from the 5th century AD.

 

The second stone has a double-disc and Z-rod, V-rod and crescent and a mirror.

 

The third shows a ‘beast’, what might be a comb and two curved lines. It is broken now and incomplete.

 

A further stone, which records show figured a ‘beast’, crescent and mirror symbols is now lost, having been broken up for building material in 1803.

 

Other stones in the nearby area are the excellent standing stone ‘Craw’s Stone’ on the hillside on the other side of the churchyard wall. Legend says that this marks the spot where MacBeth’s son was killed. There is also a small stone in Rhynie square with very faint marking.

 

The famous ‘Rhynie Man’ stone is now in Aberdeen in the foyer of the Regional Council Offices.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre fgbar.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)