PICTURE SPECIAL: Pictish stone unveiled in Thurso expected to be a major draw for tourists
There was a buzz of excitement at the North Coast Visitor Centre (NCVC) on Friday as invited guests watched Lord Thurso unveil the museum’s latest acquisition, a Pictish slab discovered in 2022 and recently restored.
The long-forgotten Pictish stone, which was likely being used as a grave marker in the remote Christian burial ground at Ulbster, was recovered and restored, and is now on display at the NCVC thanks to the local landowner and heritage volunteers.
The Ulbster 2 Pictish Stone joins the original Ulbster Stone, which was discovered 250 years earlier, in the visitor centre’s Stone Room, giving an insight into the Pictish period, which was around 1700 years ago, from AD 300 to AD 900.
Having been carefully rescued, the decorated pillar was unveiled within the Stone Room of the NCVC on Friday, June 13, by Lord Thurso in his role as Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, who has loaned the artefact to High Life Highland, which runs the centre and museum.
Gathered guests included Yarrows Heritage SCIO, which has been instrumental in the research and recovery of the stone from St Martin’s Burial Ground at Ulbster, just south of Wick, and Fiona Begg, who alerted archaeologists in 2022 when she was clearing up the burial ground, where some of her relatives are buried.
Fiona said: “I was doing family research at Ulbster cemetery back in 2022 and uncovering family gravestones. Along the row, I eventually discovered this stone and recognised the art on the top as a z-rod used by the Picts. It was amazing and I was really excited when I first saw it.”
Fiona added: “I’m delighted it’s been saved and is now in its proper place.”
The stone was found lying horizontally on the ground, in a line with other plain stones, probably being used as a grave marker in more recent times. The stone is decorated on one face only, in contrast to the other Ulbster Stone on display, which has two decorated faces. The surface of this more recent find is much weathered, but several typical Pictish symbols – the double disc with z-rod, the mirror, and the comb – are all recognisable.
Roland Spencer-Jones, chair of Yarrows Heritage SCIO said: “This is an important day for Caithness archaeology, when another newly discovered Pictish stone gets added to the stunning collection of Pictish art already in the NCVC.
“Yarrows Heritage was asked by Kirsty Cameron, the county archaeologist, if we would manage the passage of the stone from the burial ground to a museum. By chance, I had gone through exactly the same process with a stone that is now in the Dingwall Museum, the Conan Stone and that helped with the processes that are involved.
“We are grateful to all our funders for providing the money to rescue this stone and allow it to be displayed in the museum.”
Lord Thurso noted how he had recently done another unveiling of a Pictish slab when a replica of the Skinnet Stone, which is also in the NCVC, was revealed in Halkirk at a public event last month.
“I’ve done two unveilings this year, and they’re very different and very interesting. The original Skinnet Stone is here in the same room, and it was reproduced and put up at Halkirk. The sculptor finished the bits that are missing from the original.”
He said that the original Ulbster Stone was found in 1770 and was erected in the gardens of Thurso Castle for a number of years. “When my ancestor moved the Ulbster Stone to Thurso Castle he had no idea of its historical importance.
“Today, thanks to the excellent work of all involved, a sister stone has been recovered and restored, which adds to the greater understanding we now have of these amazing artefacts and helps to enhance the collection in the NCVC. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this great success.”
Funding to ensure the conservation of the Ulbster 2 Pictish Stone has come from a variety of sources, including Historic Environment Scotland; Highland Council; Nuclear Restoration Services at Dounreay; Caithness and North Sutherland Fund; Lybster and Tannach Fund; and the Pictish Arts Society. The stone was conserved by Graciela Ainsworth of Edinburgh and mounted in the museum by Norbloc Construction Ltd, Halkirk. Retired engineer Nigel Greenwood helped design the support structure for the stone.
Attending the unveiling at the NCVC was council leader and Wick and east Caithness councillor, Raymond Bremner, who said: “Today marks a profound moment in the cultural life of Caithness and the wider Highlands.
“It’s a fantastic find by someone in the local area where I live, and the Ulbster Mausoleum and its history have always been of interest locally and in the wider area. The unveiling of this Pictish stone reconnects us with the artistry and enduring legacy of the Picts – an ancient people whose stories are etched in stone and woven into the fabric of our landscape.
“This monument is not only a tribute to our rich heritage but a beacon for future generations to explore, cherish, and preserve the mysteries of our past. It connects us to the beliefs and identity of the Picts, a people whose legacy still shapes the cultural landscape of Scotland. We are proud to share this remarkable piece of our heritage with the communities and visitors to our area from all over the world.”
Dave Wilson, managing director at NRS Dounreay, said: “We’re in the business of retrieving the past to make it safe for the future, and I’m delighted we can help the visitor centre do the same with a long-lost legacy of previous generations.”
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss was also at Friday’s unveiling and said: “Attending this event is one of the very best things I’ve done as a Highland councillor, and it’s absolutely fantastic to learn about the history and mystery of the stone.
“The NCVC is attracting a huge amount of visitors, and this is great news for the town and the county. The addition of the stone will get the numbers even higher. Caithness is arriving on the tourist scene with our unique blend of history and culture. This facility shows we can attract visitors to the county who may stay a bit longer and enjoy our attractions.”
From brochs and standing stones to cairns and castle ruins, the Caithness landscape offers an insight into the past lives of the people who lived there thousands of years ago. For more information about the NCVC, such as opening times and exhibitions, please visit: North Coast Visitor Centre - High Life Highland.
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