Sueno's Stone, Forres

One of the most magnificent pieces of Early Historic sculpture in Britain, standing 6 m high, and dating to the ninth century AD.

The steps at the base are modern. The W side bears a huge ring-headed cross carved in relief and containing long panels of interlace. On the sides of the stone small animals can be seen in the curling vine scroll. The E side is an immense battle scene shown in 4 panels.

• The weathered top panel shows rows of horsemen.
• The second panel has foot soldiers with swords and spears.
• In the third panel, piles of headless bodies, severed heads and ranks of soldiers, archers and horsemen surround what may be a broch (defensive tower)
• The bottom panel shows the warriors leaving the field

It has been suggested that Sueno's Stone may be a Pictish cenotaph. The name Sueno (that of an eleventh century King of Denmark) recalls a later legendary tradition.

Directions

• Grid ref: NJ 046 595 Ordnance Survey Landranger Series sheet no. 27

Turn N off A96 at E end of Forres. Stone is 150 m down B9011. Park beside the stone. The stone is covered by a large glass case.